The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) says it embarked on trade missions in 2018 to expose Nigerian businesspeople to opportunities in the U.S.
Speaking at the chamber’s 58th annual general meeting held in Lagos weekend, Otunba Oluwatoyin Akomolafe, national president, NACC, said the chamber had its 2018 trade mission in Washington DC themed ‘Partnership for Prosperity’ in June, with a total number of 26 registered delegates participating.
“The mission featured B2B interaction with the Nigerian Diaspora on business opportunities, meetings with US African Development Foundation and Centre for International Private Enterprises. The delegates also participated in the Africa Trade and Investment Global Summit (ATIGS),” he said.
He said the chamber also embarked upon an inward trade mission to the Chamberin in May, with five companies from the State of Illinois, US, participating.
“Over 30 member companies participated in the specially packaged B2B meetings and the feedback was enormous,” he said.
He said there was a second edition of African Food And Products Exhibition featuring over 100 exhibitors and more than 2,000 visitors.
He explained that the chamber engaged in topical issues using the monthly breakfast meetings as platforms.
“For the year 2018, the chamber had a total number of eight breakfast meetings cutting across the logistics, telecoms, oil & gas, real estate, economy and SMEs with guest speakers from Lagos Business School, Nigerian Shippers Council, MainOne Cable, Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Nextzon Business Services and General Electric,” he said.
“Most remarkable of these meetings was the official launching of the Property, Construction and Infrastructure Business Group of the chamber and also in November 2018 a breakfast meeting focusing on the Social Impact of the American Businesses in Nigeria in partnership with the American Business Council.”
He explained that as part of the chamber’s campaign for continuous capacity building, various training programmes were held for both members and non-members.
“The 2018 witnessed a total number of 10 trainings, which are an improvement from 2017. These trainings covered various businesses, leadership and marketing skills. We shall continue to improve on our training offerings through partnership with topnotch training facilitators in meeting the skills gaps in the marketplace,” he stated.
He said African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) committee worked assiduously to ensure the AGOA National Utilization Strategy for Nigeria was finalised and presented to the Federal Government for approval.
For financials, the chamber realised a total income of N69.7 million, from N40.3m in 2017, generating a surplus of N13.2m as against N3.6m in 2017.
ODINAKA ANUDU
