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