GNCCT Investment Forum: Significant dynamics and opportunities for bilateral cooperation between Greece and Nigeria

The work of the annual two-day forum of the Hellenic-Nigerian Chamber was completed with great success and very important participations and discussions.

The intention of the Greek Government to strengthen bilateral trade relations with Nigeria, but also the desire of the Nigerian authorities to welcome new private Greek investments in the country in multiple sectors were highlighted at this year’s Investment Forum organized by the Hellenic-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. GNCCT) in collaboration this year with the Embassy of Nigeria in Athens on November 29 and 30.

On the first day, extensive bilateral contacts took place between officials of the two countries and their bodies, while the second day was followed by an all-day conference and official dinner organized in honor of the officials by the Greek-Nigerian Chamber.

The two-day forum was attended by top representatives of the State and the business world from both countries and recorded in detail business opportunities created in sectors such as agriculture and aquaculture, ports and terminals, education, housing, construction and cyclical economy.

“Nigeria is an important trading partner of Greece in Africa and a friendly destination for investments,” said the Minister of Development and Investment, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, during his speech on the first day. He even pointed out the readiness of the Greek government to support a Greek investment mission in Nigeria within 2022.

Participants from the Greek Government in the GNCCT Forum and the official meetings were also the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Extroversion Mr. Costas Fraggogianos Mr. Environment and Water, the Deputy Minister of Education and Religions Mr. Angelos Syrigos, the Special Adviser to the Prime Minister for Health Mr. Vassilis Kontozamanis, the Ambassador of Greece to Nigeria Mr. Ioannis Plotas and the Member of Parliament for Arcadia Mr. Konstantinos Vlasis. From the Greek side, the forum was attended by very important businessmen with many years of successful course in Nigeria, such as Mr. Giannis Koumandaros, Mr. Harris David and Mr. Petros Bozatzis. The forum was also greeted by Mr. Konstantinos Deriziotis, member of the Board of EVEA and Dr. George Xirogiannis, Deputy General Manager of SEV.

From the Nigerian side, the two-day forum was honored by the presence and speeches of the Minister of Transport Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Mr. Otunba Niyi Adebayo, the CEO of the Bank of Industry of Nigeria Mr. Kayode Pitan, the CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Committee Mr. Emeka Offor, the General Manager of the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh and a number of commissioners and representatives of local governments in Nigeria.

“We see a realistic, important opportunity to promote bilateral cooperation at the economic, political and cultural level,” said the Ambassador of Nigeria to Greece. Opunimi Akinkugbe. The appointment of the Ambassador and in fact the first woman in her position, after five years without filling the position in Athens, signals the emphasis placed by the Government of the African country on the strengthening of Nigeria’s bilateral relations with Greece, as pointed out by Ms. Akinkugbe.

The President of GNCCT Mr. Michalis Economakis underlined: “At the present time, we see an important opportunity to deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries and to focus on strengthening their trade cooperation”. At the same time, he pointed out the fundamental role that a focus on sustainable development and compliance with ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) principles can play in strengthening these relations.