NETCE will bring together representatives of the Nigerian and Egyptian business communities and governments to explore opportunities.
NETCE, the Nigeria–Egypt Trade Conference and Exhibition, begins today in Cairo, Egypt. The two-day conference is running under the theme of “For Africa, by Africa, exploring the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).”
NETCE: Expanding trade
Organized by the Nigeria-Egypt Cultural and Socio-Economic Forum (NECSEF) in collaboration with the Embassy of Nigeria in Cairo and the Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association (EABA), the conference brings together government representatives and businesspeople seeking to explore trade opportunities between the two countries.
300 delegates
NECSEF’s president, Mahmood Ahmadu, said, “Twice we have had to postpone this meeting but we are excited it is happening and it is providing limitless opportunities for us to enhance trade between Nigeria and Egypt to a new and enviable height.’’ According to Ahmadu, the event will bring together government ministers, governors, ambassadors from Nigeria and Egypt and over 300 delegates, visitors and exhibitors. A statement released by Abdul-Razaq Saliu Musa, Executive Assistant to the President, NECSEF, said, “Over the course of two days in the ancient city of Cairo, businessmen and women from Africa’s two largest economies will engage in Business-to-Business sessions, exchange ideas and attend exhibitions from participating Nigerian and Egyptian companies, showcasing their products and services.”
Prior to the event, NETCE took advantage of the gathering to inaugurate its corporate office in Cairo. The building is shared with Online Integrated Solutions (OIS), a multi-national company also owned by Ahmadu, which provides services for Nigerian Foreign missions, Nigerians in the diaspora, and NECSE.
Confirmed speakers at the event include Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai of Kaduna State; Minister of State for Works and Housing, Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub; Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Katagum; the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr Ezra Yakuzak; the Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Mrs Saratu Umar, and Dr Kassim Gidado, representing the Nigeria-Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce. Other attendees include, Dr Yousry El Sharkawy, chairman of EABA; Walid Gamal El Din, Chairman of the General Authority, Economic Zone, Suez Canal; Dr Sherif El-Gabaly, Chairman, African Affairs, Egyptian House of Representatives and Engr. Tarek El Gammal, Chairman, Redcon Construction.
Over the course of two days, attendees will engage in B2B networking sessions, exchange ideas and attend exhibitions by participating Nigerian and Egyptian companies. An industrial tour, scheduled for October 12, will allow the Nigerian participants to learn about Egypt’s industrial environment and the latest technologies.
Nigerian-Egyptian trade reaches USD 141 million
Speaking about the event, the Nigerian Ambassador to Egypt, Nura Abba Rimi, stated that the current trade between the two countries stood at USD 141 million. The Ambassador expressed hope that with the successful implementation of reforms aimed at promoting transparency and efficiency in the business environment as well as economic diversification into real sectors including agriculture, mining and manufacturing, would show that Nigeria was ready to work towards achieving much higher levels of bilateral trade with Egypt. Rimi said the high population growth rate and the size of the two largest economies in Africa present a win-win situation for the two countries.
Lekki Port, Nigeria’s new deep sea port, is close to completion and will add significant transshipment capacity to the country’s logistics networks.