by SNGZ | May 14, 2015 | Events, News
4TH AFRICA DAY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Addressing New Development Challenges in Partnership
19–20 May 2015
(Conference working languages: English and French)
Under the aegis of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia
H.E. Dr Milan Brglez
The International Center for Promotion of Enterprises (ICPE) is organizing the 4th international Africa Day conference in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, the Club of Former Slovenian Ambassadors, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, and the International African Forum, to be held in Ljubljana on 19 and 20 May 2015.
Under the title ‘Addressing New Development Challenges in Partnership’, this year’s conference will bring together representatives of the political, business, academic, and cultural spheres from Slovenia and other European and African countries, as well as members of the diplomatic corps.
The two-day event will be held under the aegis of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, H.E. Dr Milan Brglez. The first day, hosted by the International Center for Promotion of Enterprises, will comprise three panels focused on development cooperation, marking the European Year for Development 2015, on the interconnectedness of development, business and multiculturalism, as well as on the role of the African diaspora in the relations between Slovenia and Africa. The second day will be hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia and will be devoted to examples of good practice in development cooperation assistance, investment opportunities and intensifying business cooperation.
We would be pleased to welcome you to the conference.
For your reference please find the summary report of the successful 2014 conference that focused on the topic of investing in people HERE. Please find the program attached HERE and the concept paper HERE.
To register please click here.
For further information you can contact us at:
Phone: +386 1 568 23 31 or
email: info@icpe.int
by SNGZ | May 13, 2015 | Events, News
The EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Euronews as a main media partner organized and hosted the 1st edition of the EU-Africa B2B Forum in Mons (Belgium),
This high level Business-to-Business (B2B) event brought together over five hundred 500 business professionals to discuss mutual opportunities, expectations and needs. The EU-Africa B2B Forum enabled business contacts between professionals from African and European private sectors, but also between European businesses themselves. The Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce was represented by its president Mr. Fred Uduma. The Chamber in partnership with EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce will in the future host this event in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia. The B2B meetings took a predominant part of the event, but the EU-Africa B2B Forum also offered sessions for investment pitches and on key topics such as Energy, ICT, Mining & Raw Materials, Agro-business, Rail & Road, Business Law and Tourism.
by SNGZ | May 4, 2015 | Events, News
Today’s Business breakfast that was organised by Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia and Business in Africa Pays aimed to highlight Nigeria’s business environment and opportunities for cooperation with Slovenia.
The acting director of International Relations Department at Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Ante Milevoj, in his opening speech expressed satisfaction with the interest of Slovenian business community to do business with Nigeria, which is extremely interesting potential market, although the current Slovenian exports to Nigeria in 2014 stood at € 10 million, while exports from Nigeria to Slovenia reached only € 2,000. He stressed the fact that the CCIS in partnership SNCC will continue with its efforts to help Slovenian companies seeking to enter Nigerian market with information activities, business events, networking and integration, as well as with organizing business delegation to Nigeria which is expected for this autumn. Fred Uduma, president of the Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the participants and declared the business briefing as an introduction to International trade in Nigeria designed to inform and to share insights about Importing and Exporting to Nigeria enabling companies or individuals interested in exporting to Nigeria to understand the processes, legislation’s, taxes, customs, certifications, Import and Export prohibitions and Licencing. Mr Uduma was critical about the small-scale of business cooperation between the two countries taking into account the 2014 trade volume between the two countries. He said that Slovenian companies need more information and support while making business contacts, for which was ultimately intended today’s business breakfast briefing. He emphasized on the huge business opportunities for both export and import from Nigeria. In his closing remarks, he said making the right decision when entering Import Export trade in Nigeria is paramount to your understanding of the sector and it’s regulations.
Estelle Mann, who works for a UK company Intertek and coordinator of SONCAP – Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program presented the organization SON and program SONCAP. She stressed that Exporters/Importers trading with Nigeria need to comply with the requirement of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program in order for their goods to clear customs, failure to do so can result in severe delays in goods clearance, penalties or even shipments being returned to shipper. The program which was first implemented in 2005 and new directives in 2013 is a set of conformity assessment and verification procedures applicable to all products imported in Nigeria except those under the exemption list. Intertek is the longest serving Conformity Assessment Program partner and approved by SON Nigeria to issue product certificates and certificates of conformity for goods exported to Nigeria.
Stephanie E. Trpkov, Management Consultant at Strategic Corporate Communications spoke about building a successful trans-national partnership between Nigeria and South-Eastern Europe. She stressed that companies, willing to enter Nigerian market, in addition to knowledge of legislation and tax regulation, customs procedures and financing, have to pay attention to cultural differences which can because of a lack of understanding sometimes complicate cooperation. Companies should consult embassies, chambers of commerce, business networks etc. for information and verification of potential business partners.
Damir Kapitanovič, head of export at Wine Cellar Goriška Brda presented their experience of exporting to Nigeria. He said Nigeria is interesting market for them as wine is the fastest growing product among alcohol beverages. He described cooperation with local partner and mentioned high import duties and lengthy procedures for obtaining relevant documents for exporting to Nigeria. The event was supported by Goriška Brda.
During the Q&A session, participants pointed out in particular the problem of obtaining entry visas for Nigerian citizens. Mr Remigius Obioma Nzewuji, Head of Chancery and Senior Counsellor Nigerian embassy to Budapest said that in current circumstances when Slovenia has no embassy in Nigeria, Nigerian business partners should explore other ways to acquire it (travelling to other schengen countries and visiting Slovenia). He advised on particular questions of Slovenian IT company.
The event was closed with interaction among participants and a test of Goriška Brda finest champagne.
by SNGZ | Jan 23, 2015 | Events, News
2nd Annual General Assembly Meeting
The management board of the Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to attend our 2nd Annual General Assembly Meeting
Wednesday 11th February, 2015
16:00 – 18:00
Dunajska cesta 104, 1000 Ljubljana
Registration and reception 16:00 – 16:30
Business meeting: 16:30 – 18:00
Join us to learn what we do and network with our members
For more information, contact us at info@slovenia-nigeria.eu
Management
We Strive To Take You There!
by SNGZ | Nov 4, 2014 | Events, News
On the occasion of the First Year Anniversary Lecture of the Slovenian-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce with the theme: Prospects, opportunities and challenges of doing business in Nigeria, which was held at the Chamber of commerce and industry in Slovenia on 21st of October, 2014 witnessed about 25 Slovenian companies, Institutions and other interest groups.
At the beginning of the plenary section Mr. Aleš Cantarutti, director of the International relations department of the Chamber of commerce and industry of Slovenia, host institution in the event welcomed the participants. In his opening remarks, Mr. Cantarutti, said the cooperation between the CCIS and SNCC is vital and important in increasing the knowledge about opportunities in doing business in Nigeria and Vice versa as well as promoting economic relations by cooperating with City Chambers and other institutions in Nigeria. He said CCIS and SNCC will work together to take a delegation of Slovenian companies to Nigeria in the near future. He further indicated that the cooperation between Slovenia and Nigeria in terms of exports to Nigeria has increased by 20% at a face value of 6 million euros in 7 months. In conclusion, he expressed the problem Slovenian business community has in engaging their Nigerian partners, especially in the area of entry visa to Slovenia. He said they are in talks with relevant institutions to address the problem.
Opening remarks were further given by Mr. Janez Podobnik, acting director general of the International Center for the promotion of enterprises (ICPE), an institution which is also one of the founding members of the Chamber.
A representative of another founding member, namely Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Budapest, Hungary was presented by Mr. R. Obioma Nzewuji, Senior Counselor/ Head of Chancery, who greeted Slovene entrepreneurs and delivered a message from His Excellency, Ambassador Eddy Onuoha, Ambassador, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Budapest, Hungary. In his address, he emphasized the importance of greater economic bilateral relations between both countries. He said the Embassy in partnership with SNCC is prepared to help Slovenian companies establish in Nigeria.
The opening address was lastly has given by Mr. Fred Uduma, president of the Slovenia–Nigeria chamber of commerce, who thanked all of the attendees, organizers and sponsors of the event for their engagement and interest shown in connecting both countries. He said, the event is packaged to commemorate the establishment of the Chamber as well as to open new vistas of business cooperation and raise awareness of the growing business opportunities in Nigeria. Furthermore, he said, Our Mission, We Strive to take you there, and our vision to be the platform for genuine, positive and real trade and investment drive, reflects on the achievements and strong network built during this one year of operation. Our two point strategy of building foundation and maximizing trade and investment is a key indicator of our effort to build reliable and sustainable partnerships, as well to play a key role in matters that will promote sustainable concept in education, entrepreneurship, innovations, import and export, technological development and transfer, foreign direct investment and economic diplomacy.
He expressed that, despite the challenges of Human resources and financial resources faced by the chamber, his team is irrevocably committed to be professional and efficient in delivering our tasks and will continue to exert our best endeavors to bringing Slovenian companies closer to the Nigerian market, establishing true and reliable partnerships, increasing the chamber network base and creating a unique platform for direct B2B meetings and information exchange. In conclusion Mr. Uduma said, the future of the Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce is one that is advancing and accomplishing the aims and objectives upon which it was established which will result to a stronger economic relations between Slovenia and Nigeria.
It was a formidable pleasure to listen to the lecture of Engr. Emeka Unachukwu, president of the Port Harcourt Chamber of commerce, industry, mines and agriculture and CEO of Morflex energy and power Ltd. In his presentation titled Prospects, opportunities and challenges of doing business in Nigeria, he firstly introduced quantitative indicators of Nigerian economy and continued with sectors presentation: oil and gas, agriculture, power, mining, ICT, infrastructure, hospitality, healthcare, and advised for investment and other kinds of cooperation with members of Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Slovenian business community and Port Harcourt chamber, located in city of 7 million inhabitants, and all around Nigeria. He expressed his wiliness and preparedness to support the effort of SNCC to increase Slovene export to Nigeria and greater friendship which once ought to be compared with these to Italy, Austria and Germany.
After his lecture Slovenian companies Agito, Gecko, Geoportal and Sinergise presented their products ans services.
The First Year Anniversary Lecture of the Slovenian-Nigerian chamber of commerce was closed with words of appreciation by Mr. Uduma to all the stakeholders, partners, sponsors and participants.
End of the plenary section was followed by B2B session and informal conversation between participants and guests.
Present at the event was SNCC legal adviser Barrister Tony Ayavoro with whom we had a field tour of companies across Slovenia.
Slovenia–Nigeria chamber of commerce in its effort to promote and facilitate trade and investment between the two countries will do its best to attract more stakeholders at the 2nd anniversary lecture in 2015 and on other meetings in the next months.
For pictures, visit the gallery section of our webpage www.slovenia-nigeria.eu
Sponsored by:
SARP d.o.o
by SNGZ | Sep 28, 2014 | Events, News
On the 25th of September, 2014 Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce actively participated at the Ljubljana Forum. The president of the Chamber Mr. Fred Uduma presented a paper highlighting Africa’s potentials, Nigeria as a nation, Lagos as Africa’s commercial hub as well as possible cooperation with Central & South Eastern European cities.
Mr Uduma in his presentation said, The strength of Africa lies within the significant proportion of the world’s natural resources, including vast amount of minerals, oil and gas and other hydrocarbons, as well as large reserves of fertile, arable agricultural lands. Africa offers vast human resources; with over a billion populations, it has potential as a producer and a consumer, giving it a comparative advantage in international trade. Nevertheless, the long term sustainability of Africa’s potentials and opportunities will require a better connection of African economies into regional and global world market. Furthermore, speaking about Nigeria, he said, Relatively, Nigeria as Africa’s driving force and biggest economy has become an attractive market for businessmen around the world. In fact, it’s the largest and most important market in Africa and one of the most exciting emerging markets in which to trade or invest in. Nigeria today, is a country marked by profound economic change, offering great business opportunities in the fields of telecommunication, energy, mining, agriculture, oil and gas, tourism, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, banking and finance, services and manufacturing, ICT and the educational sector.
Pointing out on Africa’s development and smart cities, he said, Lagos the commercial hub of Nigeria, is building a smart city called Eko Atlantic. This project speaks to the kind of development and urbanization in recent years. The multi-billion dollar ambitious, dynamic new city is being built on a 9 square kilometers of land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean and when completed will not only change the face of Africa but will transform Lagos into a new financial epicenter of Africa.
In conclusion, Mr Uduma expressed that, establishing partnerships and sharing of knowledge, experiences and technology with Central & South Eastern European cities such as Ljubljana with Lagos as well as creating a new direct trade route between the port of Koper and Lagos port will not only foster economic cooperation and prosperity but will strengthen and improve economic ties.
