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Gala night 2006 : view of the guests (Photo: Soro Yacouba/US Embassy)

Cote d’Ivoire: An Ideal Trading Partner for San Francisco

On September 9, 2006 the American Embassy  organized a gala to celebrate the sister city relationship between the Ivoirian economic capital, Abidjan and San Francisco, California. Entitled, “The Lights of San Francisco,” the event included a concert by the celebrated American singer Tori Robinson, a fashion show by Ivoirian designers, and songs from the popular Ivoirian artist, Orentch’y.  The elaborate affair included government, business, civil society, cultural leaders from across Cote d’Ivoire and was broadcast on national television.

The celebration offered the United States Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Aubrey Hooks the opportunity to underscore, “the special relationship that exists between San Francisco and Abidjan that constitutes a real potential for cooperation.” According to Ambassador Hooks, “the gala is a wonderful opportunity to showcase and draw attention to this unique relationship because San Francisco and Abidjan are dynamic cities, which can gain a great deal from each other in economic, cultural, and technology sectors.” 

“Abidjan”, he noted, “can serve as a trade hub for high-tech goods from San Francisco.” He also believes that, “Cote d’Ivoire, with its vast natural resources, is an ideal trading partner for the booming city of San Francisco, which is also one of the most vibrant, diverse, and innovative cities in America.”

Ambassador Hooks said that American diplomacy in Cote d’Ivoire, “focused on hope and opportunity.” This message, he explained, “has resounded amongst the populations I have encountered during my visits to large cities and small villages alike across this country.” According to Ambassador Hooks, the United States has increased the level of our involvement in the country.  “Not only have we inaugurated the largest embassy in West Africa, we opened the largest American Corner in all of Africa, and developed the largest web site of any embassy in the world,” he said.