The Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce in Partnership with the Embassy of Nigeria Budapest, Hungary, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia and the International Canter for promotion of Enterprises (ICPE) organized a Business Breakfast meeting on the 25th of September, 2013 at GZS, Dimičeva 13, Ljubljana, to formally inaugurate the Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce.
The event, “Nigeria – opportunity in the heart of Africa” attracted many Slovenian companies looking for new markets and those that are already doing business in Nigeria.
Present at the event were His Excellency. Muhammadu Sani Yunusa, Deputy Head of mission, Embassy of Nigeria Budapest, Hungary; Mag. Samo Hribar Milič, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia; Mr. Janez Podobnik, Acting Director General, ICPE; Mr. Fred Uduma, President of Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and many other dignitaries and business operators across Slovenia.
The event highlighted Nigeria as a country that is ranked among the fastest growing markets in Africa. Country, rich in natural resources, especially oil and gas, and was in recent years marked by fundamental economic changes. Mr. Anže Lenče, Vice President of Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce in his presentation on business opportunities in Nigeria, pointed out that Nigeria offers business opportunities both in the fields of energy, agriculture, oil and gas, tourism, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, as well as in the banking, financial and ICT sectors.
Introducing the Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Fred Uduma, President of Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the Vision, mission and services of the chamber including its working groups. He further said, the Chamber was established to strengthen and enhance business, economic, trade and bilateral cooperation between Slovenia and Nigeria With the objective of assisting Slovenian businesses to access the Nigerian market, helping them to trade and maximize profit.
Mr. Uduma, emphasized on the need of establishing a Slovenian Embassy or Consulate in Nigeria which will address the visa problem for Nigerian businessmen looking at Slovenia and urged the Honorable Minster of Foreign affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, his Excellency, Mr. Karl Erjavec to prioritize and address the issue.
It was also evident that a good number of Slovenian companies are already successfully operating in the Nigerian market. Trade between the two countries was relatively modest last year, amounted to 11 million euros. Furthermore, great rise of Slovenian exports to 170 million people in the Nigerian market is delightful. Growth in trade in recent years also shows a number of cooperation opportunities offered to Slovenian and Nigerian companies.
In conclusion, Mr. Uduma said, the Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce will facilitate and walk the walk with any company, institution or individuals that wish to enter the Nigerian market and asked the participating companies and Slovenia business operators to join the Slovenia-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and make use of the opportunity and trade with Nigeria and Africa in general. He said SNCC We will strive to get you there!
The event was followed by company visits to:-
Cetis d.o.o
Elti d.o.o