Huum! If Karim Wade is better than his dad

Three weeks ago, I wrote an article expressing my real concern and disagreement with the new airline company. The article was posted on many websites and received a positive feedback from readers. Those interested can still visit and read it on my blog @ xalima.com. The truth is I am a little surprised the speed in which Karim Wade and his team succeeded to get a 15 billion Cfa financing. Not only had they deliver their promise in a few months period but also they had it in their home country. They did not need to go through a long process into the international market to get this funding. However, the thing that bothers me is whether our businessmen and businesswomen really understand the risk and return of this big project. Abdoulaye Wade himself our beloved President has trouble in funding his public projects like Ndiass Airport and others in Senegal. Finally, Wade decided to give up and postpone his big venture. How on the earth Karim Wade got everything he needs in a short time period where others struggle to get a dime? Many people wonder because he is the son of the President. I would say so a few years ago but after reading and studying this guy, the impression is he is doing a tremendous job. I do not mind whether our business community and banks are in a best position to accept or reject his proposal or if this is the real project they want to get in. For an entrepreneur point of view what matters is the financing. Karim Wade deserves a credit. He is a guy who does not do a lot of talk, a lot of politics and his main objective is to get things done. Karim Wade is passionate, energetic and his expectation is very high. A businessman should know the risk and return of a project. When asked to contribute to the airline company venture, the private and public sectors responded in a positive way. My concern is those men and women understand they are responsible and accountable to their shareholders and to the nation. I hope they read the business plan and understood the consequences in case of failure. I have no doubt these men are very experienced and professional. They are supposed to know the business and any pressure from karim is unacceptable especially for our public agencies. The bottom line is Karim Wade promised to deliver it and he made it. Karim Wade is not in his first venture and the success was absent in his last experiences. However, as a man of action, you never stop taking initiatives. One failure does mean you are a loser. I share and admire his passion, his conviction and determination even though I still do not think an airline company is appropriate in this global environment. The article I refer to “STOP KARIM WADE, UNE COMPAGNIE EST NON VIABLE...” still holds the same arguments I put in. The main reasons are still valid due to the economic factors. The market itself is not ready to welcome a new small company like the one they plan to invest in. Airline Company needs lot human and financial capitals. Senegal and Africa are dominated by foreign companies like Air France, Alitalia, and Delta etc which had already a competitive advantage (costs). The priorities should be focused on real projects that create value for the nation in the long term.