NICCI woos Indonesian businesses to Nigeria’s non-oil trade opportunities
By Rukayat Moisemhe
The Nigerian Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (NICCI) has called on Indonesian businesses to harness the exportable opportunities of the Nigerian non-oil economy, to enhance bilateral trade between both countries.
Mr Ishmael Balogun, NICCI President, made the call at a news conference on Friday in Lagos to detail the forthcoming Nigerian Indonesian Investment and Trade Forum (NIITF) 2024 event in Abuja.
Balogun said that sectors of the economy in focus for the forum were agriculture, renewable energy, power generation, manufacturing, mining, transportation, infrastructure development, oil, aviation, digital economy and health.
He said that the event, which was scheduled for June 3, 2024, was an opportunity for Indonesia to meet in Nigeria and expand bilateral trade and investment between both countries.
The president noted that Nigeria, as the number one investment destination in Africa, was currently also Indonesia’s number one trading partner in the continent with a trade balance of 4.7 billion dollars as at 2022.
According to Balogun, the chamber is intentional about the continuous promotion and engagement between the two countries either through trade forums, trade fairs, bilateral symposiums and deliberations.
“This year, we have decided to bring Indonesians to experience Nigeria in its full entirety.
“We have partnered with the Indonesian Embassy in Nigeria under the leadership of the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Amb. Dr. Usra Hendra Harahap.
“This partnership, in collaboration with the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs has invited 70 Indonesian companies to Nigeria.
“The year’s edition starts with a five-day trade exposition taking place in Kano from May 27 to 31, and several products and services will be on display, thereby promoting bilateral trade opportunities.
“Next is the main event on June 3 in Abuja; the 3rd edition of the NIITF, and we have partnered with several government and private sector-led organisations to explore the opportunities in the non-oil sector,” he said.
Also, Ms Teniola Jibike, Special Adviser, Policy and Legal Services to the Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, stated interest in exploring the tourism opportunities between both countries.
According to her, before the end of the current administration, the Nigerian tourism sector would wear a new look as many tourism assets, which before now had not been explored before, would now be addressed.
She added that the creation of a stand-alone ministry of tourism would help to focus better on the sector and increase its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the economy.
Similarly, Mr Emmanuel Lingga, Representative of Indonesia to Nigeria, said Indonesian businesses coming to Nigeria were eager to explore opportunities in automotive, beverages, confectionery, pharmaceuticals and other sectors.
Lingga said Indonesia would export Nigeria’s tourism, while Nigeria imports Indonesia’s as a means of increasing awareness of both countries’ tourism potentials. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Olawunmi Ashafa
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