NACCIMA partners Indonesia over agribusiness

By Andrew Ojiezel

It was a re-confirmation that agriculture is the best rock of development when Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) entered into partnership with the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) on agribusiness.

The partnership was a trade promotion meant to strengthen agribusiness relations between both countries through first ever virtual Nigerian-Indonesian business forum.

In a statement, the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Dr. Usra Hendra Harahap, stated that increased partnerships between Nigerian and Indonesian businesses will serve as a good medium for private sectors in both countries, to acquire appropriate knowledge to harness potential opportunities that exists in both countries.

The Ambassador made this statement during the first edition of the Virtual Nigerian-Indonesian Business Forum organized by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in partnership with the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) in Lagos, Nigeria.

The forum which focused on Agribusiness sector held on the 11th of Auguist 2020 brought together over seventy (70) Nigerian and Indonesian companies. Indonesian businesses Presentations on Hand Tractors, Agro processing Equipment, Water Treatment Chemicals and Natural Rubber Coagulant will be featured in this edition.

Dignitaries present during the forum include Hajiya Saratu Iya Aliyu, National President of NACCIMA; Mrs Beatrice Archibong, the Charge D’affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Jakartar, Indonesia; Ambassador Hakeem Balogun, Former Nigerian Ambassador to Indonesia and Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, Director-General of NACCIMA.

In the same vein, the National President of NACCIMA and Chairperson of the Organized Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), Hajiya Saratu Iya Aliyu thanked the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre in Lagos and the team at NACCIMA for successfully organizing the virtual business forum despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She called for closer ties between Indonesia and Nigeria, especially in the area of Agribusiness technology, to ensure that Agricultural production in Nigeria is adequately enhanced for optimal output.

Mrs Beatrice Archibong, the Charge D’affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Jakartar, Indonesia stated that the organizing of this business forum by NACCIMA and ITPC is a clear demonstration of goodwill and determination to boost the economy of our countries in spite of the growing pandemic which has negatively impacted global economy.

Also she expressed the commitment of the Nigerian Embassy in Indonesia to coordinate with relevant stakeholders in Indonesia to make necessary information and guide into the Indonesian market available to potential Nigerian investors.

Some of the Indonesian businesses who made presentations at the forum include CV. KARYA HIDUP SENTOSA Of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Producers of Quick Kubota Power Tillers and Hand Tractors; CAHAYA AGRO, producers of Agric machiner; and KIAN BANGUN PRADIZA, producers of water treatment chemicals, rubber coagulants e.t.c.

During the business matchmaking session, several Nigerian businesses initiated partnerships such as partnerships on rubber processing in Sapele, Delta State.

The Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre in Lagos and NACCIMA which has been in existed through establishment of diplomatic relations in 1965 agreed on continuous forum for engagement between Indonesian businesses and Nigerian businesses to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.