EU envoy pledges improved collaborations with Nigerian businesses

The Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, has pledged the commitment of EU countries and their business concerns in Nigeria to redoubled efforts to collaborate with their Nigerian counterparts and the government as trusted partners to redouble efforts to bring about enhanced developmental strides.

Ambassador Karlsen who gave the assurance during the celebration of European Day by the European Business Chamber (EuroCham) Nigeria said the European Union was a trusted partner not only in Nigeria but also across the African continent and they are committed to engaging to end security threats across Nigeria and the regions to consolidate democratic gains.

He noted further that the EU as the largest trading partner with Nigeria is committed to promoting environmental and security conditions.

Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, in his keynote address commended EuroCham Nigeria for maintaining cordial relationships with Nigerian businesses and reiterated the commitment of the federal government to invest in initiatives that will promote and foster social investment. He specifically thanked the European Union for supporting the emergence of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.

Also, the Chairman, Anap Business Jets Limited, Mr Atedo Peterside, in his keynote address titled: The Potential for Business Partnerships: What are the “Low Hanging Fruit” Opportunities? called for a level playing field to avoid the continued prevalence of multiple exchange rates that have deterred foreign direct and portfolio investments as well as genuine Nigerian investors who do not have the “clout” to access cheaper forex. He said: “it is becoming increasingly difficult and impossible to justify making a major investment in Nigeria as the investor is forced to compete with a few persons whose cost profile is lower on account of their privileged access to cheaper forex.”

Speaking further, Mr Peterside called on the investing public to embrace and apply Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors as part of their investment analysis to identify material risks and the odd genuine growth opportunities as some of the socio-economic problems are man-made and can disappear as quickly as they appeared.

While also calling for concerted efforts to expand business opportunities between the EU and Nigeria, the President of EuroCham Nigeria, Mr Adefolu Majekodunmi unveiled the new brand identity from European Business Organisation (EBO) to European Business Chamber (EuroCham) Nigeria to reflect on the heritage of the European Union as well as to further establish the profile of the organization as a credible resource platform for healthy collaboration between European and Nigeria key business stakeholders.

Majekodunmi reiterated that: “The EuroCham Nigeria identity will put the organisation at a vantage position in nurturing the existing healthy business collaborations under his leadership to ensure that the organization provides a constant link between the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS and the European business community in Nigeria as well as to help local investors to have access to the global market opportunities.”

The European Business Chamber (EuroCham) Nigeria, hitherto known as European Business Organisation (EBO) Nigeria, was founded by 18 European companies in October 2018 at the 7th EU-Nigeria Business. It is a member of the EBO Worldwide Network representing European business interests in markets outside the European Union that seeks to further promote trade, investments and exchanges with European business, as well as advocating European quality standards, best practices and corporate social responsibility and opening access to an active network channel in over 45 key markets that serves European multinationals.

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