Nigeria, Taiwan strengthen travel, trade ties

Nigeria and Taiwan have again strengthened trade and travel ties at the 2024 edition of the Taiwan Trade Business Forum, organised by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).

The forum, which aimed to enhance bilateral trade ties between Taiwan and Nigeria and explore new business opportunities, was held at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria.

The forum attracted a prominent audience, including Andy Yih-Ping Liu, Taiwanese Ambassador to Nigeria; representatives from Taiwan Trade Centre Lagos, the overseas branch of TAITRA; Olusola Obadimu, Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Collins Nwosu, Trade Ambassador, International Trade Facilitation Association (ITFA); Nigerian dignitaries; and members of the press.

The gathering facilitated a platform for Taiwanese companies to showcase their products and expertise. Informative presentations and discussions sparked valuable dialogue, while productive networking sessions fostered potential partnerships and collaborations.

In his opening remarks, Cris Lin, a representative from TAITRA, spoke on the importance of building closer trade ties between Taiwan and Nigeria. “The main point of promoting trade between Nigeria and Taiwan is to bring awareness of Taiwanese products to Nigerian consumers. Our products are known for striking a perfect balance between a reasonable price and excellent quality, which Nigerian consumers prefer,” he stated.

Andy Yih-Ping Liu, the Taiwanese Ambassador to Nigeria, further emphasized the significance of bilateral relations. “Taiwan’s population is roughly the size of Lagos State, but we lack the natural resources abundant in Nigeria. Conversely, Nigeria’s strength lies in its resources, while Taiwan’s advantage lies in its human capital. We believe a symbiotic relationship, combining our strengths, can lead to a powerful trade partnership,” he stated.

According to him, Taiwan was a net importer of Nigeria’s agricultural products especially sesame seeds, maintaining that despite the decline in trade volume, Nigeria still remained a destination for Taiwanese businesses.

Nine Taiwanese companies participated in the forum, including Well Electronics Co. Ltd, Lien Chiny Enterprise Co. Ltd, Easywell Water Systems Inc., Mobiletron Electronics Co. Ltd, Ou-Dean Foods Factory Co. Ltd, Yu Tong Steel Co. Ltd, Shuz Tung Machinery Industrial Co. Ltd, Globe Industries Corporation, and Voltronic Power Technology Corp. These companies are renowned for their high-quality products, cutting-edge technologies, and established reputations in the Taiwanese and international markets.

Olusola Obadimu, Director-General of NACCIMA, commented on the benefits of working with Taiwanese companies. He said, “I have only good things to say about Taiwan, and I urge everyone here to see that working with Taiwanese companies will benefit us. We can’t lose, and you’re sure of the qualities you will get.”

The forum showcased Taiwan’s excellence in technology and products, further demonstrating the strength and competitiveness of Taiwan’s manufacturing industry.

David Hwang, president Globe Industries Corporation and exhibitor at the event said through the business forum, he hopes to build partnerships with local distributors to fight counterfeit and boost sales.

On his part, Sola Obadimu, director general, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), said one key attribute about Taiwan was that they were focused on African businesses, assuring that that the quality of their products was guaranteed.