JAPAN-AFRICA ECONOMIC & INVESTMENT FORUM 2021

 Japan-Africa Economic and Investment Forum 2021 is a multilateral business and economic event designed to bring business individuals, Trade leaders, stakeholders of both Japan and African extraction together to partner and explore trade and investment opportunities.

The objective of this Economic and Investment Forum is to promote and strengthen collaboration and existing opportunities in Africa and Japan, and make available a platform for government representatives, investors, private sector representatives, and financial institutions from Japan and Africa to explore investment and business opportunities in both sides as well as mitigate the challenges of COVID-19 which undermines economic prospects.

This Economic Forum will be one of the most concrete and important steps of the value Japan attaches to African countries and its efforts to develop and deepen the relations with the Africa Continent.

The Japan – Africa Economic and Investment Forum 2021 will help to boost Africa’s economy:

·        create innovative and compelling modern businesses;

·         increase the capacity for these businesses to compete regionally and globally;

·        attract both domestic and foreign investment and diversify investor profile;

·        Contribute significantly to job creation and economic growth.

·        Enabling and enhancing entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa.

The Japan- Africa Economic Forum is powered by Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and supported by Trade Nigeria, Ministry of Trade - Japan, World Trade Summit & Expo Organization.

NORTH AMERICA _ AFRICA ECONOMIC AND INVESTMENT FORUM

 

Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry presents North America-Africa Economic and Investment Forum 2021.

This is a forum that is aimed at fostering business expansion within and beyond the shores of Africa.

It will cover economic sectors such as

·       Agriculture, Agro Technology, Agro Business and Agro Machinery,

·       Manufacturing and infrastructure development

·       Renewable Energy,

·       Real Estate

·       Transportation

·       Digital Technology

·       Tourism

·       Financing SMEs

·       Healthcare

Africa will be presented to international investors.

Featured agenda items will include projects showcase, capacity building workshops deal marketplace, exhibition, country presentations and among others.

There will be matchmaking sessions dedicated to making the process of meeting investors easier, country specific presentations, sector focused sessions and evening networking meetings. This will ensure
investment deals are concluded during the convention.

Securing finance is a big hurdle for local entrepreneurs as well as foreign companies operating in Africa. Companies that approach banks for investment in Africa are met with doubts and skepticism. All the existing possibilities however need to be explored. Whether you are a start up or a bigger company looking to invest in Africa, The North America-Africa Economic and Investment Forum is the place to be. How to secure financing and markets for your business will be our core business at the forum.

Nigeria-Czech Economic and Investment Forum

 

Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George who has been making waves when it comes to strategic partnership between nations as one major way out of damage done by the Covid-19 pandemic, has announced the date for the Nigeria-Czech Economic and Investment Forum 2021

Hon. Buchi George who is the Chairman of Trade Nigeria Organization said the partnership with Czech will ensure that the dividends of the program are highly felt by both nations.

Speaking from Abuja yesterday when he hosted Mr Stephan Bene, Czech Ambassador to Nigeria, He stated that the Nigeria-Czech Economic and Investment Forum is a strategically planned event targeted at drawing master-plans, investments and other strategies between Europe and Africa.

Trade Nigeria Team with Mr Stephan Bene, Czech Ambassador to Nigeria

“What we are looking at is to figure out countries who have gotten it right in areas we are still working on. We look at what they have as well as what we can offer them and that is how it all begins”

There are always things we can offer each other and for us at Trade Nigeria Organization, we believe one way out is strategic partnership among us and nations of other continents”

With Nigeria-Czech Investment and Economic Forum billed for year 2021, Hon. Buchi George said one key thing about it is always having a plan in the midst of the new normal. He further stated that the damage done on the global economy by the covid-19 pandemic is obvious for every nation to see, adding that what they have is a recovery plan for Nigeria and other African nations.

“Normally these are plans that will grow us, but we will be using them to heal from the pandemic. It has been a very tough time for nations around the world, but if we all can come together to share strategically, Africa and the entire world will be bouncing back within a short time” Hon. Buchi George said.

Hon. Buchi George with Mr Stephan Bene in Abuja, Nigeria

South America-Africa Economic and Investment Forum

 

Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry presents South America-Africa Economic and Investment Forum 2021. With Africa as the fastest growing economy in the world, evidence suggests that Africa has now entered a cycle of strong economic growth. Investors are now positioning themselves to understand the opportunities across the African continent.

The South America-Africa Economic and Investment forum is an event that will have the following objectives

·       To promote and facilitate international trade between South America and Africa

·       To promote foreign direct investment into Africa

·       Provide a platform for businesses to expand into new markets

·       Build networks and technical capacities for African entrepreneurs

The conference is focused on highlighting Africa’s investment opportunities while creating an opportunity for Government delegations, start ups and business leaders to meet with investors. Over 30 keynote speakers will provide detailed insight into the economic transformation that many parts of Africa are currently experiencing.

The event will provide a unique platform to gain strategic knowledge about African investment opportunities and business networking. The economic forum will cover economic sectors such as manufacturing and infrastructure development, agribusiness, Renewable Energy, Real Estate, Transportation, Digital Technology, Tourism, Financing SMEs, Women in Business, Healthcare, telecommunications and Fintech and natural resources sectors. High-potential projects in
Africa will be presented to international investors.

Nigeria-Turkey Joint Trade Mission and Business Delegation 2021

The Nigeria-Turkey Joint Trade Mission and Business Delegation 2021 is a trade Mission organized by Trade Nigeria, a public, private partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria to drive business development and investments. Its aim is to support and promote business development between Nigeria and Turkey. 

It will bring together thousands of high level key decision makers and well placed government representatives, key players in various industries and some of the worlds most renowned business executives.

This event will promote our bi-lateral trade relationship. It will assist individuals and companies participating to find overseas partners, license technology and help them expand and grow internationally. This trip will be tailored around specific business opportunities that abound with Turkey and each delegate will surely benefit based on the nature of their business as well as meeting up with strategic growth objectives

Nigeria - Turkey Joint Trade Mission and Business Delegation 2021 will provide the needed platform for delegates to learn and be inspired by some of the most influential figures in the business world and beyond.

More details about the Joint Trade Mission coming up soon.

Nigeria-japan Bilateral Trade Mission and Business Delegation to Tokyo, Japan

Trade Nigeria and Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Partnership with the Nigerian Government presents the Nigeria- Japan Bilateral Trade Mission and Business Delegation 2020. The Nigeria-Japan Bilateral Trade Mission and Business Delegation aims to further strengthen trade and Investment relations between both countries.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari was in Tokyo, Japan last year during the 7th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD 7) were both countries came to an agreement to further deepen and extend trade relations between both nations.

Considering the fact that Nigeria is among the fastest growing economies of the world, many Japanese companies are interested in investing into Nigeria with the main aim of securing strong economic ties with not just Nigeria but West Africa as a whole.

Currently, our main exports to Japan are Crude Oil, Petroleum products, Cocoa and cashew nuts and as Nigeria plans to extend exportation from the non-oil export commodities, the Nigerian -Japan economic forum will be an eye opener for other business ventures between both countries.

The Nigeria-Japan Bilateral Trade Mission and Business Delegation will be a 4 days power parked program for Companies, businesses, representatives from States and Federal Government that will feature Exhibitions,  B2B meetings, Business cocktail, Trade Conference, Business Conference and Bilateral Trade Agreement activities.

The event is billed to hold from the 3^rd of December, to the 6^th of December 2020

Africa Garment, Leather Industry and Textile Expo

As fashion trends and consumer demands for garment and textiles constantly evolve, manufacturers must improve their creativity and productivity to seek growth in this ever-changing and demanding market. Africa Garment, Leather Industry and Textile Expo will be where garment, Leather and textile manufacturers will be able to ride the newest waves of innovation, from sewing, embroidering, knitting, weaving, from over 50 exhibiting brands from countries across Africa and swim in the deep sea of knowledge in concurrent seminars. This is the meeting place that over 1000 buyers will be marking their calendars for.

Africa Garment, Leather Industry and Textile Expo will be a powerful expo on garment, Leather industry and textile machinery. The Expo is targeted to address the interests of those who wish to reach out to the textile, garment machinery & accessories and Leather industries market in Africa. Acting as the definitive gateway to provide excellent quality and one-stop selling and sourcing platform, the event will showcase products, services and technologies related to the complete production chain.

Africa Garment, Leather Industry and Textile Expo is designed to be the trendsetter for the industry player to showcase the new technology, state-of-the-art equipment, materials and services. The Show hopes to accelerate technological advances in the African textile, leather & garments industry through the showcase of high-quality, high-speed and competitively-priced products.

It will also provide a unique platform for international and national suppliers and trade visitors to expand their business opportunities in the garment, leather and textile industry in Africa through networking and engaging in investment opportunities during the expo.

Don’t miss the most crucial opportunity to surf the engines of growth and transform your business to be on the crest of a wave. 

This event will bring you the latest and much sought-after functional textiles for sportswear, medical and health industry including heat-resistant, water-repellant, anti bacterial, pollution-resistant fabrics as well as others with innovative applications such as collagen fibre and so much more. Come experience the complete fusion of fashion and function that offers comfort, protection and aesthetic features to best serve the consumers’ needs. 

It will be a meeting point for the following set of people:

Buyers,

Wholesalers,

Manufacturers,

Corporate Decision Makers,

Marketing Professionals,

Media and Government representatives

It is billed to hold sometime next year and the venue will be communicated soon

ASIA-AFRICA TRADE CONVENTION

 

In an effort to help curb the negative effects of the covid 19 and its impact on the African economy, Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry has come up with a list of events that will change how African countries do business.

Unveiling plans for Asia-Africa Trade Convention 2021, billed for Shanghai China, the President of the company, Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George, said there are more events lined up for 2021 and even beyond.

“This is big because we are working with African Union AU and the Asian government, knowing how much they contribute to global trade these days. If we can make things easier and more accessible on both ends, it will be very easy for both finished goods and raw materials to go either ways with little or no stress this year and beyond”

“Asia and Africa are more of the emerging worlds today and we need to take advantage of the massive hunger for trade and infrastructural development across these continents. Several African countries are involved, including Nigeria, because we have come to understand that events like this create the needed platforms, not only between nations, but between organizations who need them, so they can directly plan and implement their trade and investment strategies” he said.

The event is powered by Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other government agencies. Asia-Africa Trade Convention 2021 has been scheduled to hold in Shanghai, China sometime next year. As soon as preparations are completed, the actual date for the event will be made public.

AUSTRALIA AFRICA ECONOMIC FORUM

Africa has been described to be the frontier of the global economy and Australia’s business and investment interests in Africa are worth over tens of billions of dollars. Its not just about the resources sector either-Australian involvement in African economies in increasingly reaching into other areas including education, health and the arts

Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be organizing the Australia-Africa Economic Forum. It will be done in partnership with Austrade, DFAT and state governments of Australia to identify and promote business opportunities and also advocate for a predictable market-oriented operating environment. 

It will be a public private Joint partnership for the purpose of business growth and development between countries in both continents with emphasis on Foreign Direct Investment, project development, Trade, Investment that will bring about an increase in the African Economy.

Participants and Businesses that get involved will have the opportunity to raise their business profiles, they will also be exposed to knowledge sharing between both continents and meet with potential international business partners

For both Governments, the Economic Forum has the following advantages

Strengthening government-to-government engagement

Expanding economic diplomacy 

Fostering stronger private sector linkages 

Addressing business risk factors in Africa and Australia

The event will be held in Sydney, Australia and will be a 6 days event from the 26^th to the 30^th of May 2021.

CommonWealth Fashion Week and Awards: Fresh Breath For African Fashion, Textile and Leather Industries

Putting the entertainment flair that normally goes with fashion events aside, Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George has revealed that the major aim of the CommonWealth Fashion Week and Awards is to give fresh breath to African fashion, textile and leather industries.

CommonWealth Fashion Week and Awards scheduled for June 2021, by Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industries will be a confluence of Africa’s fashion related industries.

“We want to use the event to promote made in Africa fashion products. Cosmetics inclusive, fashion has become everything we do and it is one important industry that grows individuals and economies of nations” Buchi George said

Billed for Kigali, Rwanda, CommonWealth Fashion Week and Awards will witness Africa Garments, Leather Industries and Textile Expo at the same period Common Wealth Head Of Government Meeting CHOGM  will be taking place in Rwanda 

“We have done a couple of fashion events around the world in the past and this one is really exciting for us”

“Covid-19 pandemic saw CHOGM postponed to 2021 and we want to also take that advantage to spice things up with another event that will attract people from around the world”

“African fabrics for instance should be household items around the continent, but so bad that some of them have hardly left the shores of the owners’ countries. We want to share their heritage and we want to see people wearing them with pride around the world because in Africa, one thing we care so much about is our heritage which is what our fashion industries connote”, he said.

Beyond having lots of participants, Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George is looking forward to making the event a fashion fair that will feature many countries of the continent and he believes that the economical impact will be very massive.

Nigeria at 60 "Nigeria truly can be the giant of Africa"

President of Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George has said that only when there is a set ‘Nigerian Dream’ can Nigeria truly be the giant of Africa.

Hon. Buchi George who spoke on the occasion of the 60th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria, said the nation has every bone of greatness in it, but bad policies and poor implementation has seen Nigeria lag where it is supposed to lead.

He said that quoting Nigeria’s abundant mineral resources has already been overstated and what is most important is what the country can achieve with these things.

“Nigeria is a great nation; you can imagine being tagged a giant of Africa the way we are today and what will happen when things become the way they are meant to be. We can be one of the giants of the world because our global records in investments, human capital development and manpower has not been matched by any other nation”

“Nigeria is one Africa nation with very successful individuals around the world and that simply means that with a good environment, Nigerians can do great things. This means that one thing we should be aiming at in a Nigerian dream that will create this enabling environment that will encourage our people to thrive”

Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George said that the ‘Nigerian Dream’ should be aimed at building a nation where politicians will no longer campaign with roads and electricity, a nation where neglect of  rule of law, ethnicity and religious intolerance will be a thing of the past.

“If we set that standard, what it means is that our leaders irrespective of their political backgrounds will chase this dream of greatness on our behalf. As a trade and investment expert, I’ve come to see that with a little scale up on the usual interstate conventional trade in Nigeria, things will change, but there are issues holding us back”

“Only the liberals can experience liberation and if we keep harping on ethnicity, religion and unhealthy politics, Nigeria will remain where it is”, he said.

Through the Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the United Nations Ambassador has put up both local and international trade and investment fora, one of the ways he believes his quota is being contributed.

“Nigeria will be great when we all understand that everyone will not be a Dangote or the president. When we understand the importance of the drivers, roadside mechanics, traders, newspaper vendors and everyone working hard to survive genuinely, we’ll be on that path”

“So far, we have done a lot in the past, but because of the new normal, we are shifting focus to 2021 with some great programs that will give both Nigeria and the entire Africa a good face in world trade and investment circle”

He listed Australia Africa Economic Forum; Japan Africa Economic Forum; Africa Economic and Investment Forum, Berlin Germany;  Czech Africa Economic and Investment Forum and Asia Africa Economic Forum, as some of the events in line to ease the recovery process of Nigeria and Africa from the covid-19 pandemic.

Middle East-Africa Economic and Investment Forum

Based on projections from the United Nations, Africa's population is expected to double by the year 2050. Currently, Africa's population is about 1.2 billion and is set to hit 2.4 billion in the next 30 years. At around the year 2100, it is expected to hit about 4.3 billion. What this implies is that by that time, about 33 percent of the world will be residing in Africa. This indicates clearly that Africa is on a pace to catch up with Asia by the end of the century.

One of the biggest challenges Africa is facing today is lack of jobs. By the time Africa hits 2.4 billion around year 2050, Africa will need about 800 million jobs to sustain its youthful population because according to the African Development Bank, over one-third of Africa's population will be youths.

Africa needs a private-sector led growth to drive economic transformations. We should not wait for the West to give us aids or for them to invest, instead Africa should engage with other emerging markets like the Middle East. 

Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be organizing Middle East-Africa Economic and Investment Forum. This forum will be a catalyst for a cross boarder trade and Investment flow linking the Middle east with Africa and this can enrich both sides. 

Middle East-Africa Economic and Investment Forum will be a networking point for the Middle Eastern and African Investors as Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry is proposing that the best way to reposition Africa for the future is by engaging with emerging markets.

Speaking to news men over the weekend, The President of Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Buchi George, said strategic partnership with the Middle East is one of the keys to global development at the moment.

Asia-Africa Economic and Investment Forum, Tokyo, Japan

 

Covid-19 has strained Africa’s health systems, education, aviation, culture, trade, and general livelihoods as well as the continent’s public and private sectors amid lockdowns, stifling sources of income.

IMF has revised its GDP growth forecast for the continent from 5.1 before the pandemic to -1.6%. Similarly, the World Bank made a similar forecast that indicates a decline from 2.4% in 2019 to between -2.1 and -5.1% in 2020. The economic impact has been enormous and continues to bite even further.

In a move to reposition Africa’s economy in this Covid-19 pandemic era as well as the post-Covid-19 era, Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry is putting up the Asia – Africa Economic and Investment Forum 2021.

Asia-Africa Economic and Investment Forum will be a networking point for Asian and African investors as Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry is proposing that the best way out of the global economic crisis is multiple and strategic collaborations.

Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George, the president of Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry, in an announcement about the event, said strategic partnership is key to global development at the moment.

Hon. Buchi George said that Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry has strategically looked into what Africa and Asia can mutually offer each other and there is a whole lot in various sectors.

“Economically, Africa needs to be great again and while the Covid-19 pandemic is still on, we need to put down viable recovery plans that can be kicking off any time. 2021 is a good time for us and we believe by then, everywhere will open up for us and other organizations working hard to make the world a better place” Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George said.

It will be held in Tokyo, Japan in the year 2021.

Euro Africa Economic and Investment Forum 2021

Euro -Africa Economic Forum is a yearly business and economic event designated to bring business individuals, Trade leaders, stakeholders of both Europe and African extraction together to partner and explore trade and investment opportunities.

The objective of this Economic Forum is to promote and strengthen collaboration and existing opportunities in Africa and Europe, and make available a platform for government representatives, investors, private sector representatives, and financial institutions from Europe and Africa to explore investment and business opportunities in both sides as well as mitigate the challenges of COVID-19 which undermines economic prospects.

This Economic Forum is one of the most concrete and important steps of the value Europe attaches to African countries and its efforts to develop and deepen the relations with the African Continent. 

The Euro – Africa Economic Forum will help to boost Africa’s economy:

• create innovative and compelling modern businesses;
•  increase the capacity for these businesses to compete regionally and globally;
•  attract both domestic and foreign investment and diversify investor profile;
• Contribute significantly to job creation and economic growth.
• Enabling and enhancing entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa.

The Euro- Africa Economic Forum is powered by Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

TAIWAN AFRICA ECONOMIC AND INVESTMENT FORUM

In another move to reposition Africa’s economy in the Covid-19 pandemic era as well as the post-Covid19 era, Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry is putting up the Taiwan – Africa Economic and Investment Forum 2021.

With the Nigerian version of the event failing to hold early 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, the organization is stepping it up in a bid that other African countries will benefit from its dividends.

Taiwan – Africa Economic and Investment Forum will be a networking point for Taiwan and African investors as Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry is proposing that the best way out of the global economic crisis is multiple and strategic collaborations.

Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George, the president of Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry, in an announcement about the event, said strategic partnership is key to global development at the moment.

“Covid-19 has shown us few things. We have learnt a few lessons that the most important thing is humanity and every sustainable plan that will make us live well in a good environment. I feel we’ve also come to understand during the lockdown that we are all patches of islands, but together, we are the world”

“No nation has everything, so we all need to get other things in a way that will be mutually beneficial to all of us”, he said.

He revealed that in Asia as well as the global economy, Taiwan has always been one of the key players whom Africa can learn a lot from in terms of industrialization, human capital development and strategic planning.

Hon. Buchi George said that Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry has strategically looked into what Africa and Taiwan can mutually offer each other and there is a whole lot in various sectors.

“There is a reason we expanded this programme to Africa. We understand that the economy of one’s neighbours can affect his own, so we believe that if we look beyond Nigeria to develop the entire African content, we will be getting it right”

“Economically, Africa needs to be great again and while the Covid-19 pandemic is still on, we need to put down viable recovery plans that can be kicking off any time. 2021 is a good time for us and we believe by then, everywhere will open up for us and other organizations working hard to make the world a better place” Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George said.

POLAND AFRICA ECONOMIC FORUM

In a bid to promote Trade and Investment in Africa, Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Partnership with Government of Poland will be organizing the Poland Africa Economic Forum.

Poland and Europe's political interest in Africa has been greatly revived and Poland is viewing Africa as a realm of opportunities where a number of economies are developing very fast and the African middle class is experiencing rapid growth. The determining factors for Trade and Investment flows are beginning to change. 

The Poland Africa Economic Forum is going to serve as a platform or new instrument to promote Investment in Africa. African states needs to implement reforms to improve the environment for investment and also encourage private investors to engage more strongly in Africa

Also it will create an enabling environment for initiatives in te area of development and Trade between both parties

This forum will be of mutual benefit to both parties because it will also help Poland to strengthen its position in Africa, a continent with strong economic growth in many regions and rapidly growing population (middle class). Africa is set to play a large economic and political role in the world.

JAPAN_AFRICA ECONOMIC FORUM

As part of the economic recovery plans for the continent, Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry has scheduled japan-Africa Economic Forum to hold from April 25th to 30th, 2021.

The event according to the organization will Fastrack a large volume of bilateral trade between African countries and Japan, one way they are working towards seeing Africa bounce back to greatness after the devastating effects of covid-19 pandemic on global trade especially.

With the event fixed for April 2021, the president of Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George, believes that the proposed date will be a great time to have the event, adding that he believes that by then there would have been a medical breakthrough that will ensure participants are not put n any form of danger.
“We need to open the world up with ideas”, Hon. Buchi George said, while speaking from Abuja Nigeria. He further stated that one of those ideas is to find ways nations and continents can partner to achieve a greater common good.

“Japan is a great nation and can offer us a lot, while we can do same for them. We’re working on a union that will encourage trade, investments and economic development in both ways and working with appropriate authorities in several African countries is one thing we are doing at the moment and we’ll be announcing a lot of participating nations before the time of the event”

Japan – Africa Economic Forum is one of the programs lined up by Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry as the organization look to also connecting with other nations of the western world where they believe Africa can network for economic development.

KOREA AFRICA WORLD ECONOMIC AND INVESTMENT SUMMIT

The Korea-Africa World Economic and Investment Summit is being organized by Globe Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with various African Countries. It will serve as a major policy initiative to drive a mutual beneficial relationship aimed at further development between both parties. During the Summit, major consultations will hold between government officials and stakeholders from both parties.

It will attended by the following set of persons;

    Government officials from Korea and Africa

    Government organizations

    Private sector,

    Academia,

and Media, to serve as a comprehensive platform for promoting a mutually beneficial partnership between Korea and Africa.

This summit will be beneficial to Africa because it can help to build a wider base partnership for Africa's development by crafting state strategies.

It will also increase business and trade opportunities

This Korea-Africa World Economic and Investment Summit will give Africans the opportunity to expand and explore beyond the shores of Africa in search for better insights to trade and how to successfully grow their businesses and connect with the outside world.

It will also help create investments and trade opportunities among nations and facilitates economic recovery through;

* Reformed and advanced economic cooperation and trade meetings

* Business Expo

* Trade Exchange

* B2B and G2G

* Infrastructural and Industrial Forums

This Summit is billed to hold in 2021 in Seoul Korea and will be attended by over 30 African countries

Speech by Hon. Buchi George on the THE MOST IMPORTANT TURNING POINT for a woman DG of WTO

In a webinar put together by Phumza Dyani, founder, Pan African Network for Investment and Development (PANfID), that majorly focus on the implications of an African woman DG of the World Trade Organization. Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George, ESQ, LLB, MBA, JP, got the following to say:

COURTESY:   First of all I want to thank Phumza Dyani and everyone she is working with to put up this wonderful webinar. It is a wonderful one and it is also important to note that this is an important time for the entire African continent to come together and think of what we can do to ensure that what we are practicing is the true definition of trade with other continents.

I also appreciate my fellow speakers in the webinar and also gladly welcome every single participant because you are once making this event what it is.

 

Question:     what’s the Most Important Turning Point in the Forthcoming                                                       WTO Election?

Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George:   African has evolved and we will keep growing to the level where Africans will make great exploits in the continent and not just in Europe and America. We are filled with potential to create, organize and to lead, which means if we can stand together, nothing can stop us. Africa has once changed the world when we provided mineral resources and manpower to many great nations who they are today. We are still who we are, strong, rich, wise, powerful and can again be the rallying point for world trade, but not in exploitation for aids, but in pure trade like the continent has never seen. This is one thing an African WTO DG can help us achieve. The most important turning point is not when we will cast the vote; it is who will cast the vote, but how we understand that this is not just race for one out of 1.216 billion person in Africa to hold a WTO Director General Position, but a race for the entire continent and those in the Diaspora to move the continent to a great height.

 

Question:      Is Trade Not Aid The Answer For Africa?

Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George:   As an international trade expert, I believe that most cases what some African countries do in the name of trading is to aid the development of foreign countries, who then pay us just a little to aid our survival. With mismanaging factors taken note of, Africa has never gotten what it deserved in the world trade circle and the simple reason is that the ignorance and greed of our leaders has been encouraging the leaders of the World Trade Organization and other related bodies to turn their face the other side, when something is going wrong here.

With the candidates we have in this race, we believe they will be changing a lot when one of them wins. With Africa as the head of WTO, we are sure to open eyes that have been shut. We are sure to turn heads that have been facing the other way and we are also sure that Africa can thrive on the true definition of trade where Africa can be involved in mutually beneficial trade with whosoever that is involved in it. Again, I also believe that with an African DG of the WTO, it will also be a wakeup call for reigning and emerging African leaders who have in the past been involved in trade agreements that would be termed funny in most cases.  Trade to me is a balanced and mutual give and take situation and not one where the ‘bigger party’ per say, leverages on the desperation of the other party to exploit them and then sends them aids in return.

Why do you think most western nations are coming back to Africa? Why do you think everyone is fighting to win the soul of the most prosperous African nations? Why do you think Africa is always coming up in discussions like a new world? Why do you think the west is still interested and haven’t they finished the resources in Africa?

They understand the position of Africa at the moment. Our best brains want to leave the shores of this continent and it is also the same for our best resources; they must travel abroad, refined and then brought back more expensively for us to buy. These things can change if we have the right persons ensuring the right things are being done when it comes to trade in the continent. Having championed trade summits between Nigeria and many countries, I have come to understand what they want and how they want it. Africa needs a strong voice and this is the right time for us to make that move.

 

Question:      Quality of The Africa Representatives Being A Neural Party For The                                            Post Of A DG In WTO

Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George:    So far, our candidates are good for the job. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Amina Chawahir Mohamed Jibril are great individuals who can walk in and make a great difference in WTO.  With their qualities, Africa will not be chasing these positions by sentiment, but by merit. All we have to do is ensure that they receive all the necessary support that will enable them to go far in the race. African candidates at the WTO are neutral and this means they can repair the damaging global trade relationship we are witnessing at the moment. Some of the candidates have had experience in fixing damaged economies and that is what they will be inheriting in the Covid-19 and post-Covid19 era. We must not also overlook the qualities of the other candidates and who is backing them. We must put that into consideration and ensure that we do everything possible to play in the best ways and if it ever comes to putting all our eggs in one basket, we will have to do that to ensure our votes are not divided when others strategically have theirs intact.

 

Question:       What Would You Say About The Africa Representatives Being                                                        Women, “The Woman Factor”?

Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George: There is an African adage that says "Train a man and you train an individual but if you train a woman, you train a nation, Empowering women is one great way to empower the world, because no one connects to everyone in the world more than women. The woman and African factor is huge for the continent at a point where women empowerment and gender equality is among the most discussed issues when we gather. The world can only be what it is supposed to be when we all join hands to complete the circle of life, innovation, leadership, trade and development. It is so sad to say that the poor participation/exclusion of women in these circles of life has prevented the world from making a complete circle. Without women participation we will have arcs scattered here and there. Women make us complete and their contribution to the development of the world could be the missing link and this has always been there before us.

I feel that should one of our candidates win, they will be inspiring more than a million others to aspire to be who they want to be. The history they will be making will also be there to inspire millions of others globally to dream and achieve great things that will make the world a better place for us all.

Question:      Your Final words?

Hon. Nwabueze Buchi George:  Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Amina Chawahir Mohamed Jibril can win and back here in Nigeria, they have our blessings. We want to see one of them win; we want to see trade flourish in Africa and hopefully through one of them Globe Chambers of Commerce and Industry will  organize a joint trade, economic and investment programme that will further encourage investments in Africa and also show Africans how they can explore in other parts of the world.   We are optimistic. Thank you.