…Open ‘desk office’ in PHCCIMA secretariat
Officials from the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh spent most of last week in Rivers State exploring trade and investment opportunities. Before they left, they entered into partnership with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), led by its first female president, Chinyere Nwoga.
A statement issued by PHCCIMA said Bangladesh and PHCCIMA aim to open new channels of business relationships, among them the establishment of a desk office in PHCCIMA to facilitate easy business linkages and direct access to strategic information to promote and stimulate economic growth.
The South-Asia country with over 170 million populace bounded heavily in the north by India has been upbeat in boosting its export to Nigeria to achieve fair trade balance which for now is in favour of Nigeria.
Nigeria exports oil/gas, cotton and other agricultural goods worth up to $57m to Bangladesh but imports textile, pharmaceuticals, IT products, and other manufactured goods such as raw plastic sheeting, packing bags, and raw tobacco to Nigeria from Bangladesh. They have a global reputation for quality and fair-priced manufactured goods.
Bangladesh serves as a ready alternative to India in terms of importation by Nigerians especially when India pulled back in expert of pharmaceuticals.
The Bengali speaking people who seem eager to make the Niger Delta a region of trade focus paid a visit to the leader of the Organised Private Sector (OPS).
Masudur Rahman, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to Nwoga, the President of PHCCIMA. He revealed strategies for a closer relationship with the OPS in the oil region.
He expressed his country’s intentions to collaborate with PHCCIMA in various sectors such as agriculture, ICT, knowledge transfer, garments and textiles, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, marine smartphone assembly, among others.
The discussions between PHCCIMA and the delegation of Bangladesh High Commissioner’s team covered areas including trade opportunities, investment potentials, and diplomacy where Rahman affirmed that establishing a desk and collaboration in various areas would bring immense benefits to PHCCIMA and create a win-win for both body.
Highlighting the potential benefits, Rahman stated that if PHCCIMA properly harnessed the areas of collaboration, it could generate sustainable development, economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction including trade volume expansion for both countries.
According to the Bangladesh delegation, robust economic collaboration has been a cornerstone of the Bangladesh-Nigeria partnership. He said his leadership has facilitated quite a number of trade missions and business forums that have led to increased investment and trade between the two countries. Sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, agriculture, and information technology have seen significant growth, driven by collaborative ventures and knowledge exchange, he said. The issue of knowledge transfer has been a steady feature too.
He hinted that the High Commission has played a crucial role in supporting Bangladeshi businesses looking to expand into the Nigerian market, by providing market insights, regulatory guidance, and networking opportunities.
He said the High Commission has enabled entrepreneurs and investors to navigate the complexities of international trade with greater ease and confidence.
In her remark, the PHCCIMA boss said; “We are committed to promoting trade and investment between PHCCIMA and Bangladesh, and we believe your visit to Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce is a significant step towards achieving this goal.”
She added that PHCCIMA looked forward to working closely with the Bangladesh High Commission to explore areas of collaboration mentioned.
Nwoga had earlier demanded for the establishment of a desk office in the Chamber. According to her, this is a key step to strengthening ties and keeping tabs on partnership openings, a demand that was expressly granted by the Bangladesh envoy with a promise to commence a by-monthly presence by June.
Joseph Habib Sule, an elected council member, had sought collaborations in the area of the aggregate market for quarry, Virnicus Chukwudi Ezugu also an elected council member, expressed willingness to open partnership concerns in the area of mass housing, while Ofoegbu David, Chairman of Chemical & Allied Products Trade group, made inquiries about chemicals and pharmaceutical research.
Isaac Wonwu, PHCCIMA’s 1st Deputy President, rounded off the session with remarks that indicated enthusiasm on both sides.
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