*El-Rufai, ministers, others to attend two-day summit
*Trade volume between both nations hit $141m
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
The maiden edition of Nigeria–Egypt Trade Conference and Exhibition (NETCE) would begin today in Cairo, Egypt.
The two-day conference has as its theme, “For Africa, By Africa, exploring the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
The conference was organised by the Nigeria-Egypt Cultural and Socio-Economic Forum (NECSEF) in collaboration with the Embassy of Nigeria in Cairo, Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association (EABA) under the auspices of the Government of Egypt.
Speaking on the conference, President of NECSEF, Mahmood Ahmadu, welcomed all delegates to NETCE 2022.
According to him: “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.’’
The conference would bring together government ministers, governors, ambassadors from Nigeria and Egypt along with over 300 delegates, visitors and exhibitors.
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 Nigeria-Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce.
Others are: 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.
In the course of two days in the ancient city of Cairo, businessmen and women from Africa’s two largest economies would engage in Business-to Business sessions, exchange ideas and attend exhibitions from participating Nigerian and Egyptian companies, showcasing their products and services.
An industrial tour, scheduled for October 12, would afford the Nigerian participants to learn about the industrial environment and the latest technology in Egypt.
Earlier yesterday, the organisation took advantage of the gathering to inaugurate its corporate office in Cairo.
The building co-locates Online Integrated Solutions (OIS), a multi-national company also owned by Mahmood Ahmadu, which provides services for Nigerian Foreign missions, Nigerians in the Diaspora, and NECSE.
Speaking at the occasion, the Nigerian Ambassador to Egypt, Nura Abba Rimi, put the current trade volume of the two countries at $141 million.
He expressed optimism that with the successful implementation of reforms promoting transparency and efficiency in the business environment as well as economic diversification into real sectors like agriculture, mining and manufacturing, Nigeria is ready to work towards achieving much higher levels of bilateral trade with Egypt.
The envoy 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.
