bluestar-group

General Observations

Our main areas of interest are agriculture, education, water, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, petroleum, transport, mining, construction, energy, telecommunications
Any projects where Governments are involved - finance/supply/strategic partners - are of particular interest
Bluestar only participates in projects that have economic and development benefits to the client/host country


Procurement

What is the thinking behind a project?
Africa is no different to other markets. Agents should prepare our response (particularly if the World Bank is involved)
Be pro-active to country/government announcements
Prepare ourselves in advance with suppliers when we are negotiating a procurement contract
Monitor Agencies (World Bank, African Development Bank, World Trade Organisation, etc) and their investment activities
Use country Government websites
Look closely at those sectors that we have had enquiries from in the past to see if there are new (or repeat) opportunities available


Finance

Our business is public and private sector driven, including NGOs
Import of capital and semi-capital goods (mining companies, petroleum companies, telecommunications companies)
What are the priority exports of the various countries? Target companies trading in those commodities. We are mainly looking for intra-African trade and short to medium term import/export business which is commodity and receivables related - maximum 365 days, possibly 2-years
Who is buying/who needs money for projects/which businesses are buying what
Long term project-finance can be up to 10 years

Target Sectors

Trade Finance that is Short and medium Term receivables driven
To maximise private sector development by supporting exporters (cashew nuts/flowers, etc, etc)
To support importers of capitol goods, commodities and Traders
Manufacturing of finished parts and goods that are not of a capital nature
Transport, haulage, logistics
Provision of labour services (manpower)


Unsuitable for Funding Purposes

Construction industry (except for the provision of manpower)
Manufacturing of heavy capital goods where installation is required
Public Relation/Marketing companies
Software development companies
Quasi-construction industry services (maintenance, etc)
Financial services
Accountants/solicitors and other professional services


Filtering of Potential Business

Potential business should be closely filtered before being referred to Bluestar, Hove. For example, local companies should be asked if they can provide:

A bank or commercial reference
Three years audited accounts
Off-taker agreements for exporters (firm contracts or letter of intent from first class buyer.
Their banking details

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