Female, businesswoman and of African origin. She covers the stereotypes that Hollywood films have put in our heads about business in New York. She insists that she has "a fantastic life" because she does what and when she likes. This contentment, the sum of years of experience and a CV full of successes, makes Bisila Bokoko give off assuredness and confidence. Born in Spain and a Law graduate, she spent almost a decade at the head of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in New York.
For the past few years she has had her own company, through which she helps Spanish companies that want to find a place in the Big Apple, and she also devotes a large part of her profits every year to bringing books to different corners of Africa. These days she is in Catalonia to head a conference at Cornellà Creació.
What has been your personal experience of Donald Trump's arrival in power?
I have a had a quiet time of it because the United States is not only about Trump. I have lived there for 17 years and in truth I have not seen any real change in the hundred days he has been in the White House.
How will the change of government affect foreign companies operating in the United States?
We still do not know, there is a question mark over everything and it will depend a lot on the sector. We still do not know which regulations will change nor what type of restrictions may be applied to the entry of products, such as a change in tariffs. Trump has made some reference to the automotive sector, but that will affect Chinese companies more than Spanish ones. In sectors like that of agrifood, where Spain is strongest, no changes have yet been announced. On the other hand, a lowering of taxation could favour investment.
Could you give us an overview of the current situation of Spanish companies in the United States?
There was a golden age between 2005 and 2008. They were three very important years in terms of investment by Spanish companies, but then the crisis brought that to an end. Nevertheless, for the past couple of years there has been quite a lot of activity and the figures suggest things will continue that way.
Which are the most successful sectors?
At the moment technology is the most important, and everything connected with artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology... The agrifood sector, which is one of the most traditional, remains steady, and recently everything connected with art and culture is doing very well. It is a sector that has gone under the radar, but in truth the United States is enthusiastic about Spain in cultural terms. They like to come here as tourists and there are quite a few Spanish artists who have exhibitions in US territory, while Spanish art is being bought up.
How do you help companies who want to make the leap there?
After many years giving them institutional support through the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in New York, in 2012 I set up Bisila Bokoko Embassy International. I like being an ambassador for companies; and what I try to do is open up the door for them so that they can gain a foothold with the least effort possible. I focus on three sectors: gastronomy, culture and fashion. I got into the New York market some time ago, I do not have to go through the same as I did 17 years ago, and the only thing I put at the disposal of companies I work with are my contacts and my know-how.
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| Photo: Bernat Millet |
Can you give us an example of projects you have taken part in?
We have worked a lot with Ágatha Ruiz from Prada, also with a Catalan painter called Pepa Poch, who works for the Liceu in Barcelona. And our efforts are not limited to the United States, we also work with companies from the United Kingdom and Africa. On this latter point specifically, we are working a lot in the digital sphere. Africa did not have an industrial revolution and we think it is fundamental to involve as many people as possible from the worlds of science and technology, because we think that a great many of the problems the area has can be solved with digital applications.
There is also a social aim.
In 2010, I founded Bisila Bokoko African Literacy, a non-profit organisation that promotes reading in rural African communities, especially in remote areas. We want to foster a love of reading among children. It all came out of a trip to Ghana, which was my first trip to Africa. A number of lovely things happened and I provided a village with a library. I had no philanthropic vocation, but since it has emerged the truth is it has greatly enriched me as a person and I love doing it. We also work in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, and we work with Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Senegal.
How do you cover so much ground at once?
Part of it is education and training, but also the reality I constantly live with. I am three cultures in one, diversity is part of me, which is why I work a lot for corporate diversity and give support to companies that want to incorporate diversity by including women, different age groups... In the end, the problem areas that need dealing with are similar. For example, the need to empower women exists everywhere.
Is your work with women a response to the obstacles you have come across in your career?
The truth is I haven't come across any obstacles. If at any point I have detected any, I have always taken it as an opportunity. When you find yourself in front of an obstacle, you leap over it. I am really passionate about how my personal history can help other women, because many of us are concerned about the negatives, while I am concerned about the positives. If all you think about are the reasons not to do something it is easy to let fear stop you, but when you think about the reasons for doing something it is easier to move ahead. We all have our fears, I have vertigo as a businesswoman and a person, the difference is how you confront it.