Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has reiterated its commitment to the nation’s economic development by fostering international trade. This was disclosed at the recent Africa China Agent Proposition (ACAP) webinar, themed “Advancing Africa-china Trade Opportunities.”
During the session, panellists discussed the challenges which confronted NigeriaChina trade relations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of recent regulatory pronouncements on trade between both countries.
In his welcome address, Demola Sogunle, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, said that the organisation remained committed to facilitating trade activities for clients, even in the face of prevailing challenges.
Speaking on the launch of ACAP, Sogunle said: “Stanbic IBTC launched ACAP in May 2019 to boost trade transactions between Africa and Asia, especially China, and helped customers consummate the best business deals without having to travel to China. These were made possible through our parent company, Standard Bank Group, in collaboration with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).”
Asides growing the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Sogunle stressed that the Africa-china trade has potentials to create more jobs and reduce poverty. He urged participants to take advantage of ACAP, which will give them the exclusive access to an array of exporters in China through an accredited agent, Zhejiang International Trading Supply Chain Co Ltd, also known as Guamao.
Guamao is a China-based agent appointed by ICBC and Standard Bank to assist African importers execute trade seamlessly with China. Presently, Guamao has about 35,000 linked suppliers.
Ralph Deng, General Manager, Guamao, described the firm as an expert in procuring all kinds of products, raw materials and goods, with no restrictions in terms of size or volume of imports.
To free up cash-flows and help customers get more products with a reduced down payment to suppliers, Deng noted that a structured payment could be agreed on before an initial upfront payment is made.
