NIGERIAN, BRITISH BILATERAL TRADE HITS N960B

THE bilateral trade volume between Nigeria and United Kingdom (UK) has aggregately be put at £4 billion (about N960 billion).

Speaking at the Lagos International Trade Fair, President, Nigerian British Chambers of Commerce (NBCC), Emeka Awagu said that the UK has renewed its commercial interests in Nigeria.

According to him, a clear manifestation of this was the visit of the British Prime Minister, David Cameron and several high level UK ministers, particularly, the Mayor of the city of London, Alderman Michael Bear.

He added that the chamber has been meeting with officials of the UK Trade and Investment on ways to synergise efforts to actualize the doubling of existing trade figures by 2014.

Awagu disclosed that the fair would give the chamber opportunity to woo more members to the chamber.

He used the opportunity to invite visitor to the chamber stand and fill the membership forms at Hall six in order to benefit from the current business initiatives by the chamber in conjunction with its partner organisations.

He disclosed that the NBCC in conjunction with Nigerian Export Promotion Council recently organized made in Nigeria exhibition in three UK cities.

Awagu explained: 'Despite the clear positive points recorded, it was noted that most of the Nigerian products on display were poorly packaged and consequently, not ready for the competitive global market. Our Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) entrepreneurs thus need to be guided on improving their packaging standards.

'Next year, the NBCC will commence specially designed workshops on packaging for SMEs among other capacity building programmes for business for members and non members alike.

These will be published as appropriate very early in the year in prominent national dailies'.

He stressed the need for some Arts faculties in some Nigerian universities to offer courses on packaging to assist those who wish to specialise in this area.