By Peter OBIORA InvestAdvocate
London (INVESTADVOCATE)- The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) said Friday it has led 15 top Quoted Companies on its Bourse and other Capital Market operators to London for the African and Caribbean 2012 Business Expo holding from 4thto 9th August, 2012.
This is contained in a Press Statement by the Nigeria’s Exchange and made available to www.investadvocateng.com in London United Kingdom (UK).
The NSE said it was using the opportunity of the ongoing London Olympics to showcase the potentials of Quoted Companies on the Nigerian Bourse.
“The Expo which is a key business related event at the Olympics in London is organised in collaboration between Urban Inclusion and Regenfirst, along with the African and Caribbean Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise†the Statement said.
According to the NSE, in addition to providing participants the opportunity to exhibit their products and services, it will also make available the avenue to showcase potential investment opportunities in the country as well as correcting some negative impressions about the nation.
Taba Peterside, General Manager and Head of Listings Sales & Retention at the Nigeria’s Exchange said the NSE team is extremely excited coming to London for the African and Caribbean Business Expo.
“At a time when Africa and Nigeria in particular are attracting so much global business interest, the Expo is a wonderful opportunity for The Nigerian Stock Exchange to showcase itself and a selection of its top listed Companies and Member Stockbroking Firms†Peterside affirmed.
“Our listed Companies, Stockbroking Firms and the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) will have the opportunity for networking with potential clients, investors, partners, etc†she said.
She affirmed that the Nigerian brand faces a number of hurdles that create issues for the products that come from there. “The first challenge is to confront and overcome the perceptions that exist in the minds of people outside Nigeria. The Expo will go same way in addressing the ‘brand perception’ hurdles which confronts Nigeria†Peterside said.
On her part, Emem Ekong, Managing Director (MD) African and Caribbean Business Experience (AACBE), said the Expo will facilitate dialogue between African countries and other parts of the world at the Olympics with the sole intention of marketing Africa beyond the general perception of war and poverty.
According to her, the business meeting would create a platform for the rebranding and visibility of Africa and promote both Africa and the Caribbean as great places to live and do business; “it will provide selected industry sectors with a unique opportunity to engage with key UK, African and Caribbean buyers and sellers at sector specific events†Ekong said.
She further affirmed that Nigeria has a huge Market that could tap from the platform to be presented by the Olympics in repatriating profits and goodwill back to the country. “Only 1.2 percent (1.2%) of Black businesses participate in UK based export, and outward missions compared to 14.6% of their white counterparts. “This project aims to address this gap and also recognise the importance of skills and knowledge transfer exported by Diaspora community†Ekong said.
“London is a pre-eminent centre for international commerce and with the event being timed around the summer Olympics, it’s a must attend and an opportunity that businesses do not want to miss†she said
