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Iyalode Alaba Lawson Leads NACCIMA To Atlanta Summit

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National President, National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the umbrella organization of Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, has advocated for re- awaking of Agribusiness opportunities and inter-dependence in Global and Nigerian markets.

While making her presentation as guest speaker at the recently concluded US-Nigeria Agribusiness Summit, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, Iyalode Alaba Lawson enumerated the evolving agricultural trends in Nigeria.

She said: “Nigeria’s human and natural resource endowments despite the high potentials they hold, have not been fully explored owing to the shift from the thriving non-oil sector especially agriculture to deep interest in crude oil and gas in the late 1960s.”

She added: “Despite the immense potentials in Nigeria’s agriculture sector, it is still faced with some challenges as apparent in many other  emerging economies. These include: Inadequate Infrastructure such as roads, rail, ports, power and bridges; Access to finance;Market Access  and Value chain development; Obsolete agricultural practices, technology and low mechanization; Increasing standardization and quality management requirements.

Others include Storage, packaging and Processing structures and facilities leading to the loss of over 40 per cent of agricultural produce during harvest seasons.; Insufficient agricultural research materials and information dissemination; Poor understanding of agricultural policies and the benefits they offer.

A statement explained that she also emphasized the need to invest in Nigeria’s Agribusiness sector, since “Nigeria is on the path to complete agricultural rejuvenation with improved agricultural policies, incentives, private sector participation and interventions in place.

Iyalode Lawson submitted to the gathering that “Nigeria’s ranking on the World Bank’s Doing Business report for 2018 has improved by 24 steps, adding that “This signal increased interest in domestic and global enterprises.”

She explained the many opportunities in Nigeria, saying “Nigeria’s population of more than 186 million people, vast land resources and territorial waters, in addition to increasing trade liberalization activities acts as a bolster to trade promotion. Nigerian farmers and investors in the agriculture sector have the potential to produce food and cash crops for local consumption and export.

According to the statement issued by Sennami Goziem, Director, Marketing & Communications, US-Nigeria Trade Council, the  areas of interdependence include : Agricultural mechanization – Large agricultural machinery such as tractors, mowers, planters, etc; Agricultural Research – Information about new global trends in agriculture to increase yield,  such as : Improved seedlings, improved crop variety, pest control, etc.

Other include Standardization : Preservation, storage, processing, packaging, transportation requirements with regards to international standards; Technological transfers : new agriculture technologies such as : drone technology, telematics,  soil and crop sensors, automated grain offloading; Agricultural financing: capital for production ; Market Access – entering new markets and frontiers; Value chain promotion – Networking producers to processors, exporters amongst others.

More Here: www.orientalnewsng.com/2017/11/iyalode-alaba-lawson-leads-naccima-to-atlanta-summit-seeks-re-awakening-of-agribusiness-opportunities/
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Nigeria moves up 24 points on World Bank Ease of Doing Business index

The World Bank on Tuesday said that Nigeria now ranked 145th  out of 190 countries in the Ease of Doing Business index for 2018

The World Bank stated this in its just released Ease of Doing Business report titled, “Doing Business 2018: Reforming to create jobs”.

The report indicated that Nigeria had moved up by 24 points from 169th position on the 2017 ranking and also 170th position on the 2016 ranking to 145 in the World Bank’s 2018 report.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria alongside El Salvador, India, Malawi, Brunei Darussalam, Kosovo, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Zambia and Djibouti are the top 10 improved countries worldwide, after carrying out numerous reforms to improve their business environments.

“These economies together, implemented 53 business regulation reforms across 10 of the areas measured by doing business.

“Overall, the 10 top improvers implemented the most regulatory reforms in the area of getting credit, starting a business, dealing with construction permits and paying taxes,’ the report said.

Details of the report revealed that Nigeria now ranked 130th out of 190 countries from its 138 position in 2017, in terms of Starting a Business and 147th from 174th in 2017  in terms of Getting Construction Permit.

According to the report, the country also moved from 180 position in terms of getting electricity in 2017, to 172nd position in 2018 ranking.

Similarly, on the Registration of Property ranking, the country moved from 182nd position in 2017 ranking to 179 in the 2018 ranking.

The World Bank also stated that Nigeria made the greatest stride in improving access to Getting Credit. It moved from 32nd position in 2017, to 6th position in 2018.

On Paying Taxes ranking, the Country moved from 182nd position in 2017 to 171 in 2018 and on Enforcing Contracts, it moved from 139th to 96th position in 2018.

However, the report showed that the country was retrogressing in the Resolving Insolvency ranking, going from 140th position in 2017, to 145th in 2018.

According to the World Bank, 83 business reforms were carried out in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past year, surpassing the previous 80.

“The Sub-Saharan Africa region continues to struggle in the area of getting electricity. On average, obtaining an electricity connection takes 115 days in the region, compared to the global average of 92 days.

“The reform effort in Sub-Saharan Africa is singularly worth celebrating, as the region is beset with myriad crises, including conflict and violence.

“We hope to continue recording the region’s successes in enabling entrepreneurship to address the challenge of job creation, particularly for the region’s millions of young women and men,” the bank said.

Following the country’s 169 ranking on the 2017 Ease of Doing Business index, The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) was set up in July 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

PUBEC was mandated to remove bureaucratic constraints to doing business in Nigeria and make the country a progressively easier place to start and grow a business.

Already, several reforms directly impacting on business owners have been implemented by Ministries, Agencies and Departments with the support of PEBEC.

On Starting a Business, business incorporation process can now be done mostly online on the CAC’s Company Registration Portal

The need for lawyers, accredited agents and chartered secretaries has been made optional, reducing the cost of registration of companies

Timelines for company registration have been revised as follow: Approval for reservation of names (12 hours); Incorporation of companies if application form is completed and required documents available (24 hours).

PEBEC had also succeeded in getting priority bills, including the National Collateral Registry Bill and the Credit Bureau Services Bill passed to make it easier for businesses to get access to credit.

It also simplified the Visa-On-Arrival process to include e-submission of applications to dedicated desk at Nigeria Immigration Service and also eliminated manual baggage searches at airport.

 

http://cityvoiceng.com/nigeria-moves-up-24-points-on-world-bank-ease-of-doing-business-index/

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Celebrated Georgia farmer, John McCormick to receive Nigerian Agribusiness delegates

The US-Nigeria Trade Council USA is pleased to announce that Mr. John McCormick, the eminent “2016 Georgia Farmer of the Year “will be attending and making a presentation at the forthcoming US-Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Summit & Expo, November 16-18, 2017, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

In a Town- Hall format, interactive session, Mr. McCormick will share his highly successful farming experience and advanced techniques at the Summit.

The organisers in a statement explained that John McCormick has been a leader in using innovative farming practices to reduce production costs and increase yield.

“He has been able to successfully use variable rate irrigation, global positioning system guidance and conservation tillage to improve his crop farming and was one of the first farmers to test the Irrigator Pro peanut irrigation scheduling method that was developed by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service.

“His yields have consistently been well above average and his early and successful adaptation of modern and progressive agricultural practices have led him to become an efficient and highly productive farmer leading to winning the prize”.

McCormick:“Being a farmer has been a blessing, and from it I have learned responsibility and leadership”.

Through research partnerships with UGA Extension and several agricultural supply companies, McCormick works to provide better farming methods not only for himself, but for other southeast Georgia farmers as well.

Over his 42-year career, McCormick has never stopped experimenting and trying to make his operation better. He is looking forward to sharing his experience with attendees at the US-Nigeria Agribusiness Summit on Saturday November 18, 2017.

A guided informative tour of the expansive farms of Mr. McCormick has been scheduled for Thursday November 16, 2017, where delegates at the Summit will have first-hand experience of techniques of modern farming. Nigerian farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector are expected to be part of the 3-day conference.
Registration is still open for the US-Nigeria AgriBusiness (Non-Oil) Investment Summit. USNAGRIS 2017 (www.usnagris.com) scheduled for November 16-18, 2107 at the prestigious Hilton Atlanta Airport Hotel, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.

 

SOURCE: http://citybusinessnews.com/celebrated-georgia-farmer-john-mccormick-to-receive-nigerian-agribusiness-delegates/

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Diaspora Initiative

An integral part of its cardinal goal, as a service to the Nigerian Community in the United States is to facilitate economic development of Nigerians and their communities in America. It will also serve to promote industry and self-reliance, and recognize distinguished individuals, who have projected positive “Image” in their professional and community endeavors. Please visit here for details.

According to the wikipedia, 80 percent of African Americans (about 35 million) could have some ancestors from Nigeria. The USA has the world’s second largest Nigerian community, only behind Nigeria itself!.

The economic strength of resident Nigerians and their families in the US has been conservatively estimated at one billion dollars. However, this economic strength has not been harnessed and focused for the greater economic development and empowerment of all Nigerians. Thus, an objective of US-Trade Council is to create a platform under which Nigerians can collectively attain socioeconomic advancement within the American free enterprise system.

The Diaspora initiative aims to expand business networks, leverage trade and investment opportunities, exchange ideas and increase the flow of information. The USNTC provides an independent and shared networking platform for their members and leading Diaspora business groups to meet and network.

 

 

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Award & Recognition

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The US-Nigeria Trade Council Awards Dinner.

The US–Nigeria Trade Council in cooperation with the Nigeria Embassy in US will recognize individuals and businesses in the United States and in Nigeria for their accomplishments and contributions to the advancement of commerce, for promoting bilateral trade relations and economic growth. It provides contact with and exposure to the highest profile people who exemplify success, excellence and professionalism. This years Gala will be held early November 2016, exact date and location to follow.

Selection Process

Recipients are chosen by an independent selection committee based on a number of measurements, including performance in expanding trade between Nigeria and the United States, innovation in marketing and distribution, business integrity, and service to the US and Nigerian community.

  • The US-Nigeria Trade Council Achievement Award is presented to individuals whose outstanding personal, business or professional accomplishments exemplify the spirit of commitment, perseverance and endeavor that sustains the strong relations between Nigeria and the United States of America.
  • The US-Nigeria Trade Excellence Awardis presented to businesses who have excelled in expanding trade between Nigeria and the United States, and who have been innovative in marketing and distribution, business integrity, and service to the community.
  • The “Green Image Award”is an honor bestowed on distinguished Nigerians, resident in United States, who have portrayed Nigeria  Image in  positive, “Green” light, in their professional and community activities, who have made notable contributions for the advancement their communities, locally and abroad, and who, by their conduct and reputation, have provided a shining example to succeeding generations of Nigerians, home and abroad.

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Trade Missions

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The USNTC organizes Trade Missions for Nigerian Business owner and Government officials to come to US, and for American investors and Business owners to come to the United States. These high-power delegation’s visits will cover energy, agriculture, telecommunications, exports/imports and leadership.

Benefits
  • Build Relationships: Theface-to-face contact made possible by the trade missions is invaluable in establishing relationships. People like to do business with people they know, and there’s no better way to sell yourself and your business than by rubbing elbows and building rapport.
  • Enhance your professional development: From conference sessions and people you meet at the various events you’ll get lots of tips on how to grow your business and how to leverage your connections.
USNTC Services

USNTC provides the following services for mission participants, business professionals and associations.

  • Pre-arranged individual one on one matchmaking meetings with your potential distributor/suppliers and partners
  • Networking events with guests from local industry and association.
  • Group meetings with key government officials and business leaders.
  • Site visits to local facilities, research institution and industry production sites where your industry or technologies may be applied.
  • Pre-trade mission industry potential market analysis research support.
  • Trade show participation.

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Trade Conferences

Our Trade Conferences

When expanding your business globally, networking with the right people will set you up for success. Join us for the Annual US–Nigeria Trade Conference & Expo, the premier event on Doing Business with Nigeria.

It is a meeting point for importers, exporters, and trade service providers in the US-Nigeria axis. Meet, develop and cultivate international partnerships. Enhance your skills, network with speakers and attendees, share experiences and uncover new opportunities.

Why attend?

  • Learn concrete ways to increase your company’s international sales.
  • Network with hundreds of people from manufacturing, service, and logistics sectors from Nigeria and US.
  • Hear high-caliber speakers discuss how to improve your returns on International Trade.
  • Get to know new Nigeria Business Opportunities, markets and Trends.

US-Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Summit

US-Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Summit – www.usnagris.com