IN
a bid to further expand and coordinate for profitability the commercial
relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia, Nigerian – Indonesian
Business Forum was launched at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton
Hotel, Abuja last Saturday.The launching which was initiated by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, HE Sudirman Haseng was held with the collaboration of the Indonesian Ministry of Trade and the Nigerian – Indonesian Commercial Association with a theme “Maximising trade and Investment relations between Indonesia and Nigeria.”
The inauguration which coincided with the state visit of the President of Indonesia to Nigeria, had in attendance the Ministers of Trade from the two countries, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. And Gita Wirjawan, Minister of Trade of the Federal Republic of Indonesia as well as business moguls from Nigeria and Indonesia who filled the Congress Hall of Transcrop Hotel to the brim.
The Congress hall was jolted to serious business by the inspiring welcome remarks by Ambassador Haseng who explicitly made known the necessity of launching such a forum in furtherance of promotion of trade, commerce, understanding and mutual respect.
“We believe that with the long standing undiluted and unpolluted warm and cordial relationship between the two countries, the inauguration of Nigerian- Indonesian Commercial Association is not only overdue, but apt at this time in point when the two countries are gearing up to lead the world.”
Ambassador Haseng also emphasised the similarities between the two countries and likened them to a “set of twins born by a mother, but who are unfortunately raised in different climes and continents. While one is making waves in the Far East, dominating the economic and political landscape of the oriental, the other is a colossus in Africa where he is regarded as the big brother to all other countries because of its immense potentialities which are unrivalled in its continent.”
He pointed out that “These two countries are well endowed in population, blessed in resources, have the same multi–diversity characteristics in religion, culture, ethnic configuration and geographical contraption. All these are testimonies and attestations that the two countries must not only form a synergy for profitability, but come together in mission for global vision.”
Ambassador Haseng commended members of the association for having the temerity of purpose at coming together “at a time like this to tap the abundant potentialities which abound in the two countries in a symbiotic ambience of trust and mutual respect.”
The National President of NACCIMA, Chief Albert Ajayi commended Ambassador Haseng for being proactive in discharging his diplomatic assignments in Nigeria.
“I am happy today for the inauguration of another commercial association which is part of NACCIMA. The Nigerian- Indonesian Association (NICA) will be very useful at exploring for profitability the potentialities in both countries for economic development. Indonesia is one of the great countries whose economies are aiming to the top while Nigeria is also making waves at mobilising its economy to the top. This calls for perfect and close commercial relationship between the two countries which further justifies the inauguration of this association.”
The two ministers, Gita and Aganga made a good show of their intellectual prowess to the guests at the Congress Hall.
Mr Gita who delivered his speech using President Obama’s style in addressing the US Congress exposed and revealed why it is necessary for Nigeria to be on the business page with Indonesia which he described as a remarkable country which holds a lot for the typical, discerning Nigerian business men and women.
He gave a statistical status of Indonesia among the ASEAN countries and pointed out the robust nature of the country’s economy and its impact on the surrounding and trading nations.
Gita informed that Indonesia was ready to welcome investors and expose the fact that “Indonesia is going to host two classical summits this year one of which is WTO Ministers’ Conference to convey our readiness at serving the world and forming the synergy required to rule the world economy.”
The Indonesian Minister was at his best. His mode of delivery was powerful as well as convincing. He displayed the mastery of world economy, trade and investment and squarely situated the Indonesian economy as the bride of the world to an impressive Nigeria – Indonesian captains of industries.
With the aid of multi-media, Dr Aganga gave a vivid picture of Nigeria as the most friendly nation to invest in and also revealed a statistic research finding of Nigeria becoming the best nation any country would like to trade with in the next six years.
“Nigeria has a robust stable macro-economic platform on which all the indices of economic development are present. By the time the nagging infrastructure are in place in the next two years or so, no nation will not want to trade with us.”
Dr Aganga brilliantly did a peer analysis of the economic growth indices between Nigeria and Indonesia and came to the conclusion that the two countries are not only starring majors in their respective continents but they are as well the beacon of hope in the near future.
He pointed out that “The trade and investment portfolio of Nigeria is not only rooted well on a sound economic plans and policy, but planted with all necessary nutrients which will sprout out wildly that will make any investor who think Africa will have no choice than to think Nigeria.”
Dr Aganga’s submission and presentation was lucid, interesting, educating and revealing that guests had to appreciate it with thunderous applause which was accorded his Indonesian counterpart too.
All the discussants were of the opinion that the formation and the inauguration of the Nigerian – Indonesian Commercial Association is a right step by the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria HE Haseng at this time and period when the two countries are ready to move the world.
