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Tag: Chamber

  • Chamber seeks return of old fuel, diesel prices to save businesses

    Chamber seeks return of old fuel, diesel prices to save businesses

    Salt City Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SALTCCIMA) has kicked against increase in pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel, which has raised cost of businesses.

    The body is an advocacy for institution of a fair business environment for commerce, industry, and other economic activities in Ebonyi State.

    In a statement, President, Chukwuemeka Eze said the chamber was aware of petrol and diesel scarcity in parts of the country, resulting in over 50 per cent hike in fuel price.

    He said: “Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and diesel, remain the centrepiece of our businesses and living. Making the price out of our reach has direct impact on food security and all aspects of our agrarian life in Ebonyi State. It is difficult to continue to keep quiet in the midst of our suffering”.

    He noted the intention of governments to promote nano, micro, small, and medium scale enterprises (NMSMEs) but insisted the frequent hike of prices of the products remains huge threat to commerce, industry, agriculture.

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    “While PMS dictates our commerce, diesel is the driver of production. Our members fall into NMSMEs and are worse hit in this policy of regular increase in fuel prices. The coincidence of the increase and Dangote Refinery’s announcement that Federal Executive Council will determine prices of its products leaves a sour taste in the mouth,” he said.

    Eze added that deregulation as contained in Section 205 of Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, which we expect would lead to decrease in prices of petroleum products, is not yielding the results it was meant to achieve.

    “We call on Federal Government to reverse prices of petrol and diesel for businesses to return to optimal level. We call on Ebonyi State to alleviate our degradation, as businesses are folding up and farmers lack storage facilities to hold products and plan for sales and export,” he said.

  • Chamber seeks laws on Ease of Doing Business

    The Onitsha Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (ONCIMMA) has called on the Ninth Senate to make laws that would enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in Nigeria for fast economic growth.

    The Chairman of ONCIMMA, Mr. Don Ebubeogu, made the call on Tuesday in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    The Ninth Senate was inaugurated on Tuesday with Senators Ahmed Lawan and Ovie Omo-Agege as President and Deputy President.

    Ebubeogu said though the Federal Government, through the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has been working to evolve better business environment, there was need to make pieces of legislation for its sustainability.

    The chamber’s chairman identified poor maritime, multiple tax, internal custom checks and inefficient transport system as some of the challenges.

    “Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has been championing the EoDB mantra, but it lacks sustainability and bite, so, I call on the Senate to look at those proposals and make laws to back them up,” he said.

    He called for the development of the nation’s ports across the country to reduce congestion in Lagos Ports and boost the import/exports sector.

    The industrialist said rather than develop more ports in Lagos, the Federal Government should work on Onne, Calabar and Warri ports to ease movement of goods in and out of the country as well as circulation within the country.

    Ebubeogu said the high landing cost of goods in Lagos ports and demurrage occasioned by delay in clearing and evacuation was contributing hugely to inflation.

    According to him, the situation in Lagos ports has become unattractive that importers now prefer Republic of Benin and other neighbouring countries’ ports because of their cost effectiveness.

    The ONCIMMA chief said Customs officials should be restricted at the borders as their internal operations impede the flow and of transportation of goods.

    “Building another port in Lagos is just postponing the evil day. The concentration of ports in Lagos is simply killing our nation’s economy. The government should just make sincere efforts to develop the ports in Onne, Uyo, Calabar, Warri and others to decentralise economic activities.

    “The implication is that the cost of these inconvenience is transferred to end users and that is higher cost of goods,” he said.

    The ONCIMMA chairman said there must be a legal template for trade and commerce and economic transformation of the country.

     

  • Chamber seeks improved healthcare delivery through ICT

    To improve healthcare delivery, there is the need for investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) has said.

    Its President, Oluwatoyin Akomolafe, said incorporating ICT into healthcare would improve the quality of health care, safety, and efficiency of public health service delivery.

    He also said it would also improve the public health information infrastructure, support health care in the community and at home, while also facilitating clinical and consumer decision-making.

    Akomolafe, who spoke at the inauguration of the chamber’s Healthcare Sector Group in Lagos, added that incorporating ICT tools into the healthcare delivery system would boost skills and knowledge.

    The NACC Healthcare Sector Group was inaugurated at its Breakfast Meeting in Lagos. The meeting themed “Improving quality outcomes through health information” was sponsored by Flying Doctors Nigeria and Zenith Carex Limited.

    The Healthcare Sector Group is expected to provide a platform for engagement by member-companies within the same industry.

    It would also provide the needed platform for member companies to collaborate, undertake sector-focused advocacy and grow together with support from the secretariat.

    Akomolafe, represented by the Chamber’s National Treasurer, Dr. Ikenna Nwaosu, noted that the traditional way of solving health problems was outdated hence the need to leverage on ICT to improve healthcare delivery system.

    He said lack of adequate funding worsened the crisis in the health care sector in developing countries, particularly Nigeria. He, however, said access to ICT tolls would change the narrative.

    “With the significant growth in Internet access in urban areas, health-care workers can adopt its usage for communication, access to relevant health-care information, and international collaboration.

    “ICT can improve the quality of care patients receive by averting medical errors, improving communication and boosting efficiency,” he stated.

    Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) National President, Dr. Francis Faduyile, observed that the healthcare system was mostly paper-based, with manually operated documentation system.

    He noted that the system was sub-optimal, as healthcare providers lacked the right computing skills proportional to their responsibilities.

    He observed that patient information and direct clinical examination in most health institutions were still being drawn from paper–based records, which is slow and cumbersome.

    Faduyile listed other challenges associated with the analogue healthcare system to include lack of uniformity and standards, inaccessibility, and inaccuracy.

    He, therefore, said there was the need for advocacy, especially among health providers to adopt health information technology to drive health care.

    He also said there was a need for collaboration among agencies and professional associations in the sector to ensure the deployment of ICT in healthcare.

    Flying Doctors Nigeria founder Dr. Ola Brown highlighted the pillars of healthcare reform to include primary care expansion, healthcare financing, maternal/child health and centralisation of tertiary care.

    Brown identified logistics as one of the most important aspects of healthcare, adding that air ambulances would help address this challenge.

     

  • Chamber seeks foreign tech for business growth

    The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) is to lead delegates on a trade mission to the United States (US)  to deepen members’ knowledge of technologies to boost their businesses.

    The five-day trade forum themed: “Turning promises to Action”, is expected to bring together the private and public sectors of the economy. It was designed to attract businesses in areas such as Information Technology (IT), Banking, Agric Tech, and Cloud Technology solutions, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation, Blockchain, and Smart Contracts, among others.

    NACC Communication Executive, Ebuka Ugochukwu, said the trade mission was the Chamber’s yearly commitment to promoting trade development, commerce, investment and industrial/technological relationship between the private and public sectors.

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    Ugochukwu, who told The Nation that the trade mission has been scheduled for April 28-May 3, added that delegates would be hosted by the Silicon Valley Nigeria Economic Development Inc.

    He also said there would be meetings with Silicon Valley top executives, angel investors and venture capitalists in IT; Silicon Valley Organisations (Chambers of Commerce; Silicon Valley Tech Companies; the Mayor of San Jose, among others.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Chamber seeks foreign tech for business growth

    The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) is set to lead delegates on a trade mission to the United States (US) as part of efforts to deepen members’ knowledge of available technologies to boost their businesses.

    The five-day trade forum themed: “Turning promises to Action”, is expected to bring together the private and public sectors of the economy. It was designed to attract businesses in areas such as Information Technology (IT), Banking, Agric Tech, and Cloud Technology solutions, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation, Blockchain, and Smart Contracts, among others.

    NACC Communication Executive, Ebuka Ugochukwu, said the trade mission was the Chamber’s yearly commitment to promoting trade development, commerce, investment and industrial/technological relationship between the private and public sectors.

    Read also: German firms, chambers boost vocational skills in Nigeria

    Ugochukwu, who told The Nation that the trade mission has been scheduled for April 28-May 3, added that delegates would be hosted by the Silicon Valley Nigeria Economic Development Inc.

    He also said there would be meetings with Silicon Valley top executives, angel investors and venture capitalists in IT; Silicon Valley Organisations (Chambers of Commerce; Silicon Valley Tech Companies; the Mayor of San Jose, among others.

  • Chamber to banks: be flexible in funds disbursement to SMEs

    The Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) has called on relevant financial institutions to be flexible in the disbursement of funds to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

    ECCIMA President Mr. Emeka Udeze made the call at the chamber’s 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Enugu, during the week.

    He said the Federal Government had taken the right step by recapitalising the the concerned financial institutions, thereby boosting their services.

    “We also commend the Federal Government’s efforts in bringing down the interest rate of loans from the Bank of Industry (BoI) to a single digit by providing N10 billion to them.

    “The setting aside of N15 billion for the recapitalisation of the Bank for Agriculture (BoA) and BoI will always give confidence to SMEs in doing business with these banks.

    “However, the Federal Government should increase the funds being allocated to the two banks as this will grow the nation’s SMEs, which is the life wire of every economy,” Udeze said.

    The president, however, said undue stringent hurdles should not be allowed to defeat the purpose which SME administration and industrial development funds was meant.

    Udeze said the chamber was excited by the Federal Government’s resolve in fixing infrastructure across the country through shrewd budget implementation.

    He expressed the chamber’s optimism that going forward, the economy would be stimulated by the implementation of the 2019 budget.

    He said although, the economy was expected to be stimulated by the financing of contracts across the country, the Federal Government should take the issue of diversification of the economy serious with a view to building a strong and virile economy.

    Udeze praised the Enugu State Government for sustaining and improving the peace, stability and orderliness in the state.

    “This has resulted in the current report of World Bank Ease of Doing Business, which placed the state in second position,” Udeze said.

    In his remarks, ECCIMA Director-General, Mr. Emeka Okereke, said the AGM was a period of stocktaking and mapping out new ways of taking the chamber to greater heights.

     

     

  • Chamber to induct president at dinner

    The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), has concluded plans for its  2018 Annual Dinner Dance.  Highlight for the dinner, which holds today, is the inauguration of the Chamber 18th President.

    The chamber’s Communication Executive, Ebuka Ugochukwu, said the  event will present members and guests opportunity to interact in a relaxed environment, while networking and discussing initiatives to further encourage cross border trade and investments.

    Ugochukwu said the evening will also witness the inauguration of the 18th President of the Chamber, Oluwatoyin Akomolafe.

    According to him, Akomolafe was NACC’s Deputy President, prior to his election as President. He is also Chairman, Index Brook Limited and has devoted his career to nurturing of Index Brook into a group of companies, operating in different countries, providing consultancy services, project management and engineering services to major oil and gas firms in the industry and across the world.

    These firms, according to him, include Index Brook Nigeria, Index Brook Guyana, Canyon Offshore Mozambique, Pasedena Exploration and Production, Index Brook Angola and Index Brook Ghana.

    Akomolafe is also an active member of societies, social clubs, and professional associations. He is equally a member of Christian Friends Society; Arch Bishop Vining Memorial Church; the Metropolitan Club; Regents Park Club, London; West Lake Country Club, Houston; Negotiation and Conflict Management Group, among others.

    The NACC, he recalled, is the first and oldest bilateral chamber of commerce in Nigeria and for more than 58 years, the chamber has grown into a dynamic organisation.

    According to him, NACC stands as a pillar of the relationship between the United States (US) and Nigeria, serving as an important catalyst in bringing together people and ideals to strengthen bilateral and commercial relations between Nigeria and the US.

     

     

     

  • Chamber holds dinner, inducts president

    The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), has concluded plans to hold the 2018 Annual Dinner Dance. The annual dinner, which holds today, will be accompanied by the inauguration of the 18th President of the Chamber.

    The chamber’s Communication Executive, Ebuka Ugochukwu, said the annual event will present members and guests the opportunity to interact in a relaxed environment, while networking and discussing initiatives to further encourage cross border trade and investments.

    Ugochukwu said the evening will also witness the inauguration of the 18th President of the Chamber, Oluwatoyin Akomolafe.

    According to him, Akomolafe was NACC Deputy President, prior to his election as President. He is also Chairman, Index Brook Limited and has devoted his career to nurturing of Index Brook into a group of companies, operating in different countries, providing consultancy services, project management and engineering services to major oil and gas firms in the industry and across the world.

    These firms, according to him, include Index Brook Nigeria, Index Brook Guyana, Canyon Offshore Mozambique, Pasedena Exploration and Production, Index Brook Angola and Index Brook Ghana.

    Akomolafe is also an active member of societies, social clubs, and professional associations. He is equally a member of Christian Friends Society; Arch Bishop Vining Memorial Church; the Metropolitan Club; Regents Park Club, London; West Lake Country Club, Houston; Negotiation and Conflict Management Group, among others.

    The NACC, he recalled, is the first and oldest bilateral chamber of commerce in Nigeria and for more than 58 years, the chamber has grown into a dynamic organisation.

    According to him, NACC stands as a pillar of the relationship between the United States (US) and Nigeria, serving as an important catalyst in bringing together people and ideals to strengthen bilateral and commercial relations between Nigeria and the US.

     

  • Chamber, Facebook train over 50 SMEs

    The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), in collaboration with Facebook and Digivate 360, has trained over 50 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on growing their businesses by leveraging the digital media.

    The training, which was held in Lagos, drew participants from various sectors of the SME value chain.

    NACC Communications Executive Ebuka Ugochukwu said the training became imperative because SMEs are the backbone of the economic growth.

    “We have come to understand that SMEs are the backbone of any economy. We do expect that as these businesses grow, they will be able to contribute more to the economy and leverage the connections and opportunities that we provide them to scale up,” he said.

    Ugochukwu recalled that when Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg visited Nigeria in 2016, one of his objectives was to try to see how Facebook could empower SMEs in the country.

    According to him, that objective resonated with the Chamber’s commitment to empowering businesses with digital skills to grow, manage their brand and increase revenue.

    Ugochukwu said NACC stands out as a pillar of the relationship between the United States of America and Nigeria, while also supporting bilateral commercial relations between Nigeria and the United States

    “We organise other trainings and events, one of which is a monthly breakfast meeting, where participants are exposed to networking and creating new business connections for the growth of their enterprises,” he added.

    NACC has continued to facilitate business-to-business relationships and advanced economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States through the promotion of business and services that improve trade relations and prosperity of both nations.

    The Chamber is also committed to providing programs and services that improve economic prosperity and sustainability of businesses in the country.

     

     

  • Chamber promises business opportunities

    THE United States Latin America Chamber of Commerce of Committee (USLACC) will hold its programme in Baltimore, Maryland, United States from November 14-17.

    Its Nigeria’s representative Mrs Ifeoma Mary Ejiogu, in a statement in Abuja, said she had involved foreign partners to further stimulate investments in the country during the programme entitled: “Uplifting and showcasing Pan-Africanism and her rich potential and cultural heritage.”

    Mrs Ejiogu said more than 30 participants would participate in the exhibition from across Africa and abroad.

    She explained: “USLACC is establishing trade relations across the world to widen global market and investments in Nigeria for economic empowerment.

    “The organisation is committed to marking members connect to avenues that will enrich and solve their financial needs as well as open doors for the global market.

    “The very goal of the organisation is to promote trade and humanitarian investment between Africa and other parts of the world.

    “It engages in empowerment projects that strengthen the business of existing firms, startups and establish entrepreneurship, seminars, financial empowerment, and workshops.”

    Mrs Ejiogu said Nigeria should encourage private sector participation in  national economic affairs like other developed countries.