The visit of Nigeria-Indonesian Chamber Of Commerce (NICC) President, Dr Ishmael Balogun, to the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines of Agriculture (PHCCIMA), is said to be targeted at creating business and partnership opportunities for both chambers, so declared the PHCCIMA boss, Dr Chinyere Nwoga.
On her opening remark at the interaction, Dr Nwoga said the invitation of the President of the Nigeria-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce (NICC), Dr Balogun, was aimed at unlocking numerous business and partnership opportunities for PHCCIMA member companies to capitalize on. She added that the value-laden interaction would unravel the economic secrets of Indonesia.
She said the essence of the visit was also to stimulate interaction with business owners to open channels of opportunities that will help grow their businesses.
Dr Nwoga therefore urged the participants to make maximum use of the opportunity offered by the event.
Hear her: ” We’re here today because we’re pursuing the mandate of having a symbiotic relationship of value with NICC.
“Indonesia is a country that has prospects and offers big extensive business opportunities, hence we are here to hear from the man, a lead entrepreneur, the President of NICC himself to tell us, and expose to us, all those hidden secrets. This is because we know that a lot happens in Indonesia and today we are going to unbundle all of that. We’ll key in and businesses will grow, because when your businesses grow Chamber makes more money,” Dr. Nwoga said.
She thanked the Head of the Missions Desk of PHCCIMA, Dr Tari Memberr for her contributions to the success of the event.
NICC President’s Remark:
In his remark, while addressing the gathering, comprising PHCCIMA members, businessmen and women, importers and exporters, the NICC President, Mr. Ismael Balogun said he was happy to be a guest to PHCCIMA, ably led by the first female President of the Chamber since 1957, in the person of Dr. Chinyere Nwoga.
He expressed confidence that the visit with its attendant interaction with the business community in Rivers State and by extension the South-South region, will produce the required results.
According to him, the visit is an opportunity for Nigerian businesses to become bigger and greater, courtesy of the bilateral agreement that will be initiated between NICC and PHCCIMA.
Dr. Balogun informed the audience that he and his team had visited the nation’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima to inform him of the forthcoming International Trade Fair to be held in Djakarta, the Indonesian capital, pointing out that he has graciously approved that four Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs), including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Export Promotion Commission (NEPC), the Organised Private Sector, SMEDAN, City Chambers, and NACIMMA among others attend the investment summit.
He added that partnership will be the key focus of the Djakarta Investment Forum. While reeling out Indonesian companies in Nigeria currently thriving in partnership, Dr Balogun advised private company owners to register and structure their businesses to qualify for breakthroughs ahead, before the Nigeria-Indonesia International Trade Fair.
According to him, “Try and push yourself, get your businesses well registered and structured, get an accountant, a lawyer, and ensure you run along recognized processes.”
“You will find opportunities in chambers that you will leverage for your business.
“Opportunities for joining with the Nigeria-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce abound. For instance, Visa is 100% assured because they are sure there will be no ‘Japa’ on any trip guaranteed by the Chamber.
Other key guests:
Other participants such as the first female Chairperson of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Port Harcourt Branch, Barr. Cordelia Ekeh, spoke on the significance of legal framework for business, and Bank of Industry Divisional Head, Mr. Pacqueens Irabor, harped on getting the processes right for grants.
The ICAN Deputy Chairman, Mr Uwene, spoke on accounting and tax-related issues, including Mr Ofon Udofia, Executive Secretary Institute of Export Operations and Management (IEOM), who expressed fears on the inclusiveness of their organization in the Nigeria-Indonesia bilateral trade agreement.
Mrs Tari Memberr mounted the podium to give insights about the workings of the PHCCIMA Trade Missions Desk.
In his vote of thanks, the past President of PHCCIMA, Engr Emeka Unachukwu, described PHCCIMA as an organization with enormous life-changing value propositions and therefore urged all businessmen and women to join.
Trade Group Chairmen in attendance include, Soji Iyalla, Oil and Gas, Amb Clement Akanibo, Financial, Chief Emeka Ezenekwe, Professional Services & Consultancy, Mr Daboikiabo Jack, SME & NGO, and WCCIMA Coordinator. Others were HM Dr Patricia Ogbonnaya and Past Elected Council member, Owanari Batubo.
