Geography & HistoryGeography & History Political & Legal EnvironmentPolitical & Legal Environment Distribution of IncomeDistribution of Income Structure of EconomyStructure of Economy Population & CulturePopulation & Culture ReligionReligion InfrastructureInfrastructure Industry Description Industry Description Establishment & CustomersEstablishment & Customers

Located in Western Africa, bordering the North Located in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia

Total area of 322,460 sq kmTotal area of 322,460 sq km Largest CitiesLargest Cities

Abidjan Abidjan BouakeBouake DaloaDaloa

Climate: tropical along coastClimate: tropical along coast warm and dry (Nov to March)warm and dry (Nov to March) hot and dry (March to May)hot and dry (March to May) hot and wet (June to October)hot and wet (June to October)

The early history of Ivory Coast is virtually unknown, although The early history of Ivory Coast is virtually unknown, although it is thought that a Neolithic culture existed there. it is thought that a Neolithic culture existed there.

18931893 - Ivory Coast made into a French colony. - Ivory Coast made into a French colony. 19041904 - Ivory Coast becomes part of the French Federation of - Ivory Coast becomes part of the French Federation of

West Africa.West Africa. 19581958 - Ivory Coast becomes a republic within the French - Ivory Coast becomes a republic within the French

Community.Community. 19441944 - Felix Houphouet-Boigny, later to become Ivory Coast's - Felix Houphouet-Boigny, later to become Ivory Coast's

first presidentfirst president Type of Government: RepublicType of Government: Republic Independence: August 7, 1960Independence: August 7, 1960 National Holiday: Independence DayNational Holiday: Independence Day

Executive branch Executive branch Headed by a president, head of stateHeaded by a president, head of state Elected for a 5 year term Elected for a 5 year term Commander in chief of the armed forces Commander in chief of the armed forces May negotiate and ratify certain treaties.May negotiate and ratify certain treaties.

The president selects The president selects Prime minister, head of governmentPrime minister, head of government

CabinetCabinet The formal Judicial system The formal Judicial system

Headed by a Supreme Court Headed by a Supreme Court Includes the Court of Appeals and lower courts.Includes the Court of Appeals and lower courts.

National AssemblyNational Assembly 175 member legislature175 member legislature Help organize Ivory coastHelp organize Ivory coast

Based on French Based on French Civil law system Civil law system Customary lawCustomary law

Judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme CourtSupreme Court

French treaties, legal articles, and books are instructive French treaties, legal articles, and books are instructive and informative on general principles of law and are and informative on general principles of law and are often used as a reference to determine points of Ivoirian often used as a reference to determine points of Ivoirian lawlaw

GNI GNI $13,300,000,000$13,300,000,000 Population = Population = 17,100,00017,100,000

GNI/capita GNI/capita $770$770

$13,487$13,487$10,056$10,056$4,225$4,225$2,717$2,717$1,805$1,805$1,031$1,031$793$793335,294335,294670,588670,588670,588670,588670,588670,588670,588670,588670,588670,588335,294335,294

5.15.1

$2,644$2,644$1,972$1,972$828$828$533$533$354$354$202$202$156$156 $ 4.5 (B) $ 4.5 (B) $ 6.7 (B)$ 6.7 (B) $ 2.8 (B)$ 2.8 (B) $ 1.8 (B)$ 1.8 (B) $ 1.2 (B)$ 1.2 (B) $ 691.6 (M) $ 691.6 (M) $ 266 (M) $ 266 (M) 1,710,0001,710,0003,420,0003,420,0003,420,0003,420,0003,420,0003,420,0003,420,0003,420,0003,420,0003,420,0001,710,0001,710,000

34%34%50.70%50.70%21.30%21.30%13.70%13.70%9.10%9.10%5.20%5.20%2%2%10%10%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%10%10%

HighestHighestHighestHighestFourthFourthThirdThirdSecondSecondLowestLowestLowestLowest

HH IncomeHH Income# HHs# HHsHH size =HH size =

GNI/capitaGNI/capitaGNI GNI

Pop.Pop.

GDP in 2004: U.S. $15.3 billionGDP in 2004: U.S. $15.3 billion GDP/capita: U.S. $856.00GDP/capita: U.S. $856.00 Purchasing Power Parity Purchasing Power Parity

GDP: U.S. $25.2 billion (2004)GDP: U.S. $25.2 billion (2004) GNI per capita: U.S. $1,390 (2004)GNI per capita: U.S. $1,390 (2004) GNI/HH : $3,927GNI/HH : $3,927

Rate of inflation: 2.3% (2003)Rate of inflation: 2.3% (2003) Rate of growth (population): 1.8% (2004)Rate of growth (population): 1.8% (2004)

XOF to USD

0.00176

0.00178

0.0018

0.00182

0.00184

0.00186

0.00188

1/1/

2006

1/8/

2006

1/15

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6

1/22

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6

1/29

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6

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2006

2/12

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6

2/19

/200

6

2/26

/200

6

3/5/

2006

3/12

/200

6

3/19

/200

6

3/26

/200

6

4/2/

2006

1 CFA Franc (XOF) = .0019 US Dollar1 CFA Franc (XOF) = .0019 US Dollar

USD to XOF

520

525

530

535

540

545

550

555

1/1/

2006

1/8/

2006

1/15

/200

6

1/22

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6

1/29

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6

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2006

2/12

/200

6

2/19

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6

2/26

/200

6

3/5/

2006

3/12

/200

6

3/19

/200

6

3/26

/200

6

1 US Dollar = 537.5 CFA Franc (XOF)1 US Dollar = 537.5 CFA Franc (XOF)

Agriculture: 27%Agriculture: 27% Cocoa: 1.35 million metric tons Cocoa: 1.35 million metric tons Coffee: 160,000 metric tons Coffee: 160,000 metric tons

Industry: 21%Industry: 21% Services: 52%Services: 52% Exports of goods and services % of GDP: 42%Exports of goods and services % of GDP: 42%

Cocoa, coffee, timber, rubber, cotton, palm oil, Cocoa, coffee, timber, rubber, cotton, palm oil, pineapples, and bananaspineapples, and bananas

Imports of good and services % of GDP: 32.6%Imports of good and services % of GDP: 32.6% Consumer goods, basic foodstuff, and capital goodsConsumer goods, basic foodstuff, and capital goods

Literacy rate, adult females 15+ years: 38.2% (2000)Literacy rate, adult females 15+ years: 38.2% (2000) Literacy rate, adult males 15+ years: 60.1% (2000)Literacy rate, adult males 15+ years: 60.1% (2000)Gross Enrollment RateGross Enrollment Rate School enrollment, primary level (% of age group)School enrollment, primary level (% of age group)

Male: 86%Male: 86% Female: 89%Female: 89%

School enrollment, secondary level (% of age group)School enrollment, secondary level (% of age group) Male: 33%Male: 33% Female: 18%Female: 18%

Fertility rate, birth per women: 4.5 (2003)Fertility rate, birth per women: 4.5 (2003) Life expectancy at birth Life expectancy at birth

Total years: 45.1 (2003)Total years: 45.1 (2003) Female: 44.76Female: 44.76 Male: 40.27Male: 40.27

Mortality rate, infants (total per 1,000 live births): Mortality rate, infants (total per 1,000 live births): 117 (2003)117 (2003)

29294646626291914040United StatesUnited States  16165454464620207777West AfricaWest Africa

LTOLTOUAIUAIMASMASIDVIDVPDIPDICountryCountry

Indigenous 10%-20%Indigenous 10%-20% Muslim 35%-40%Muslim 35%-40% Christian (Catholic, Protestant and other Christian (Catholic, Protestant and other

denominations) 25%-35%.denominations) 25%-35%. The majority of foreigners (migratory workers) The majority of foreigners (migratory workers)

Muslims (70%) Muslims (70%) Christian (20%)Christian (20%)

Telecommunications:Telecommunications: Telephones-main lines in use: 328,000Telephones-main lines in use: 328,000 Telephone-mobile cellular: 1,236,000Telephone-mobile cellular: 1,236,000 Ivoirians ownIvoirians own

More than 3 million televisionMore than 3 million television 7 million radios7 million radios

Television broadcast stations: 14 Television broadcast stations: 14 Households with televisions: 35%Households with televisions: 35% Internet users: 90,000Internet users: 90,000

Most users connect through the cyber cafesMost users connect through the cyber cafes Internet hosts: 3,795Internet hosts: 3,795 Personal Computers: 6,100Personal Computers: 6,100

Physical:Physical: Paved roads: Paved roads:

Over 43,000 milesOver 43,000 miles 3,750 primary roads3,750 primary roads 3,666 paved secondary roads 3,666 paved secondary roads

Energy Use (kg of oil equivalent): 418.1 (2000)Energy Use (kg of oil equivalent): 418.1 (2000) Electricity Consumption (kwh): 2.983 billion (2001)Electricity Consumption (kwh): 2.983 billion (2001) Aircraft departures: 2,300 (2000)Aircraft departures: 2,300 (2000) Internal Freshwater resources per capita (cubic meters): 4,573.7 Internal Freshwater resources per capita (cubic meters): 4,573.7

(2003)(2003) Urban population (% of total population): 45%Urban population (% of total population): 45% Airports: 37 (7 with paved runways)Airports: 37 (7 with paved runways) Waterways: 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and coastal lagoons)Waterways: 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and coastal lagoons)

Based on French Based on French Civil law system Civil law system

Legal tradition which is the base of the law in the majority of countries Legal tradition which is the base of the law in the majority of countries of the worldof the world

Customary lawCustomary law Consist of established patterns of behavior that can be objectively Consist of established patterns of behavior that can be objectively

verified within a particular social settingverified within a particular social setting Law exists where certain legal practice is observed and relevant Law exists where certain legal practice is observed and relevant

actors consider it to be lawactors consider it to be law In order to do business in Ivory Coast all document must be in French In order to do business in Ivory Coast all document must be in French Stuffim & BacomStuffim & Bacom

Have 125 member law firm that are base in St. Paul MinnesotaHave 125 member law firm that are base in St. Paul Minnesota Maintains offices in Maintains offices in

Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C. Denver, ColoradoDenver, Colorado Paris, FranceParis, France

Harley Hambone – International Finance expert and master salesman Harley Hambone – International Finance expert and master salesman Sylvester Soupspoon – Transportation AttorneySylvester Soupspoon – Transportation Attorney

Ivory Coast Investment Promotion (CEPIC)Ivory Coast Investment Promotion (CEPIC) Promote joint-venture operationsPromote joint-venture operations Investment in Ivory CoastInvestment in Ivory Coast Assists with the necessary formalities of Assists with the necessary formalities of

RegisteringRegistering IncorporatingIncorporating ModifyingModifying dissolvingdissolving

The law of both the Ivory Coast and Kenya place serious restrictions The law of both the Ivory Coast and Kenya place serious restrictions on foreign law firms establishing local offices with foreign lawyers:on foreign law firms establishing local offices with foreign lawyers: Requirements to set up officeRequirements to set up office

To employ a majority of local lawyers or to ensure that their local office is managed To employ a majority of local lawyers or to ensure that their local office is managed by a local lawyer.by a local lawyer.

To practice before the courts of either country must be certified by the local bar To practice before the courts of either country must be certified by the local bar associationassociation..

Safari Air LinesSafari Air Lines (SAL) (SAL) An international airfreight companyAn international airfreight company Major aircraft carrier for all of East, Central, and West AfricaMajor aircraft carrier for all of East, Central, and West Africa Almost a $1 million per year account for Stuffim & Bacon which Almost a $1 million per year account for Stuffim & Bacon which

includes work with airline regulatory agencies in the U.S., as well includes work with airline regulatory agencies in the U.S., as well as general advice regarding international aviation matteras general advice regarding international aviation matter

Livingston Tours, INCLivingston Tours, INC A small U.S. based travel agency that specializes in three month A small U.S. based travel agency that specializes in three month

African safaris.African safaris. Stuffim bills Livingston less than $500,000 per year, mainly for Stuffim bills Livingston less than $500,000 per year, mainly for

preparing and negotiating agreements with international charter preparing and negotiating agreements with international charter airlines and local tour operators serving East Africa.airlines and local tour operators serving East Africa.

GhanaGhana Bentsi-EnchillBentsi-Enchill & & LetsaLetsa General Law Consult (GLC)General Law Consult (GLC)

LiberiaLiberia Sannoh & Associates Law FirmSannoh & Associates Law Firm

NamibiaNamibia Lorentz & Bone Lorentz & Bone P F P F KoepKoep & Co & Co

NigeriaNigeria Ajumogobia, Okeke, Barristers & Solicitors Ajumogobia, Okeke, Barristers & Solicitors Abdulai Taiwo & Co Abdulai Taiwo & Co

Sierra LoerneSierra Loerne A. Tejan-Cole and AssociatesA. Tejan-Cole and Associates

USAUSA Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & KatzWachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & FlomSkadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

EuropeEurope FreshfieldsFreshfields Bruckhaus Bruckhaus DeringerDeringer LLP LLP ArglesArgles Stoneham Stoneham BurstowsBurstows (ASB Law) (ASB Law)

SingaporeSingapore Allen and GledhillAllen and Gledhill

Largest economies in Sub-Saharan Africa Largest economies in Sub-Saharan Africa Business infrastructure superior to many other Business infrastructure superior to many other

countries in the regioncountries in the region Industrial and transportation hub of the regionIndustrial and transportation hub of the region

Tax advantages Tax advantages Lawyers and accountants are among the Lawyers and accountants are among the

entities that ensure that all appropriate laws entities that ensure that all appropriate laws and procedures regarding business law and procedures regarding business law practices are followed.practices are followed.

Remain mired in political/military crisis that had Remain mired in political/military crisis that had undermined the economy and investor confidenceundermined the economy and investor confidence Physically divided and resumption of civil war, social unrest Physically divided and resumption of civil war, social unrest

could occur at any given momentcould occur at any given moment Uncertain legal protections & weak judiciaryUncertain legal protections & weak judiciary Concerns about the rule of law Concerns about the rule of law Government ability to provide equal protectionGovernment ability to provide equal protection Language barrier with U.S. companiesLanguage barrier with U.S. companies To establish a presence in Ivory Coast have two situation To establish a presence in Ivory Coast have two situation

compared to U.S.compared to U.S. It is more costlyIt is more costly Involved more proceduresInvolved more procedures

Corruption: 152/159 = 1.9 making it one of the most corrupt Corruption: 152/159 = 1.9 making it one of the most corrupt nations in the world nations in the world 2002 – 2.72002 – 2.7 2003 – 2.12003 – 2.1 2004 – 2.02004 – 2.0 2005 – 1.92005 – 1.9

Greatest impact onGreatest impact on Judicial proceedingsJudicial proceedings Contract awardsContract awards CustomsCustoms Tax issuesTax issues

If the political situation doesn’t stabilizeIf the political situation doesn’t stabilize The damage to the economy and commercial environment will continueThe damage to the economy and commercial environment will continue

Economist Intelligence Unit expects real GDP growth Economist Intelligence Unit expects real GDP growth to stagnate: 1.2%to stagnate: 1.2%

Inflation is forecast to increase to 4.5%Inflation is forecast to increase to 4.5% Even though for its uncertaintyEven though for its uncertainty

Business continue to functionBusiness continue to function Profits are down but still have the ability to go Profits are down but still have the ability to go

onon

1.1. Advise Hambone of the various business, legal, political, and Advise Hambone of the various business, legal, political, and cultural obstacles standing in the way of opening an office in cultural obstacles standing in the way of opening an office in each country and how he can best overcome them. Also make a each country and how he can best overcome them. Also make a recommendation as to where you think the office should be recommendation as to where you think the office should be located and how (and by whom) it should be staffed and located and how (and by whom) it should be staffed and operatedoperated

2.2. Advise Soupspoon as to how he can convince his fellow partners Advise Soupspoon as to how he can convince his fellow partners that an African office will be profitable for the firm, if not in the that an African office will be profitable for the firm, if not in the short term, then in the long term. This would include the type of short term, then in the long term. This would include the type of representation arrangements that the Stuffim firm should make representation arrangements that the Stuffim firm should make with its clients in Africa to minimize its financial risk.with its clients in Africa to minimize its financial risk.

3.3. How do you believe Stuffim & Bacom, as a growing How do you believe Stuffim & Bacom, as a growing international law firm, should respond to terrorist threats?international law firm, should respond to terrorist threats?

Ivory Coast maintains the historical, cultural and economic Ivory Coast maintains the historical, cultural and economic links with France and Europelinks with France and Europe

The younger generations are more exposed to the American The younger generations are more exposed to the American cultureculture

IvoiriansIvoirians Trust in a business relationship is paramountTrust in a business relationship is paramount Prefer to conduct face-to-face contactPrefer to conduct face-to-face contact