Business Exchange builds CJTF-HOA, Camp Lemonnier and Djibouti on Working Relationships

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti, September 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Djibouti Chamber of Commerce, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier came together for a Business Exchange Sept. 2, 2014, at the Kempinski Hotel in Djibouti.

Several vendors participated in the business exchange and were able to speak to CJTF-HOA and Camp Lemonnier representatives about their products and services.

“The purpose of this event is to try to obtain a vendor base in the local area,” said U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Tamalia Adams, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Contingency Contracting Office contracting officer. “The U.S. government wants [CJTF-HOA] to start the Djibouti First program; instead of going back to the U.S. or Europe to get vendors, they want to support the local Djiboutian economy.”

The vendors included businesses for supplies and services.

“We are doing operational contracting and helping the local vendors help us,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Julie Hammond, CJTF-HOA CCO chief of contracting. “With the agreement of us being on camp for another ten years, we are going to need their help in order to sustain ourselves. If we help them help themselves with their economy, it will create a better atmosphere, economy and lifeclass for them.”

Customers and coalition partners on camp were invited to attend the exchange to gather more information on the goods and services available.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Ron J. MacLaren, Joint Contingency Acquisition Support Office director, and U.S. Army Col. Elizabeth Keough, Defense Logistics Agency commander, attended the business exchange.