17TH AFRICAN REINSURANCE FORUM FROM 9th TO 11th OCTOBER 2011 – DAKAR, SENEGAL Informations

The Country

Senegal is located west of the African continent. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south. The capital of Senegal is Dakar.

Population

Senegal has 12 million inhabitants. There is a great ethnic diversity: the Wolof dominate. The population is predominantly Muslim (95%).

Economic Data

Senegal has UEMOA second largest economy, following Côte d'Ivoire, with a 4% growth rate. It is a predominantly agricultural country although it has a thriving industry. Main income is provided by fisheries, tourism and phosphates.
Among its major facilities are Dakar International airport -Leopold Sedar Senghor and the Autonomous Port of Dakar. However many projects are underway.

Culture

Country with a long democratic tradition, tolerance and legendary hospitality (Téranga), Senegalese culture is known worldwide primarily through its first Head of State, Leopold Sedar Senghor, the poet of negritude and the well known Egyptologist Cheikh Anta Diop.

Attractions

• Monument of the African Renaissance,

• Slave House in Goree,

• Seaside resorts on the small Coast (1hour from Dakar)

• Nature reserves: Madeleine Islands National Park, (Dakar) ; Bandia Forest (1H Dakar).

Useful Information

• Health

  Yellow fever vaccination and antimalarial treatment recommended.

• Police

  Valid Passport. ECOWAS and EU nationals are exempt from entry visa, only identity card is needed. Other countries Nationals should contact Senegal nearest diplomatic mission.

• Customs Formalities

  Senegal has joined the New York Convention on Customs Facilities in favor of Tourism which applies on the entry conditions regarding some goods and products banned from import or subject to special regulations.

• Useful numbers

  Telephone Codes of Senegal (+221) Telephone information service: 1212 Leopold Sedar Senghor Airport Information: (+221) 33 869 50 50 / (+221) 33 628 10 10

• Working hours

  Continuous day from Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm for most private companies and the public sector.

• Climate

  The climate is tropical and dry with two seasons: the dry season (November to May with an average temperature of 20 ° C) and the rainy season (June to October with an average temperature of 30 ° C).

• Water - Electricity

  Running water and carefully controlled drinking. Electricity: 220 volts.

• Currency

  The franc CFA (1 € = 655.957 FCFA, 1 U.S. dollar = 480 CFA francs for information)

Languages

Official language: French. National languages: Wolof, Pulaar, Mandinka, Diola, Serer, Soninke. Local time is GMT.