By Aliyu DANLADI
The Association of Professional Nigerians in Egypt (APNEG) said it would sponsor four Nigerian small businesses to participate in the inaugural Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Cairo from Dec. 11 to 17.
The association’s President, Mr Obi Emekekwu, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
The trade fair is being organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union Commission.
It is be hosted by the government of Egypt and has attracted more than 1,000 registered exhibitors from 41 countries and is expected to be attended by more than 70,000 visitors.
The APNEG President named the four selected growing Nigerian companies to include Clothing Africana, Proach Shoes, Shoeplanet Multi Concepts Ltd and Renyam Nigeria Company.
Emekekwu said the companies were selected for the sponsorship after a competitive process that involved extensive review of the companies’ profiles and products by members of APNEG.
He said that the sponsorship would cover the travel and accommodation costs of representatives of the companies for their travel from Nigeria to Egypt to participate in the trade fair as well as the cost of providing them with exhibition booths.
According to Emekekwue, the decision to sponsor the small businesses to the trade fair is part of APNEG’s commitment to foster improved economic ties between Nigeria and Egypt.
He said the participation would expose Nigerian products to the Egyptian market and would enable the small businesses to make useful contacts.
Proach Shoes manufactures high quality made-in-Nigeria shoes, while Renyam Nigeria Company specialises in agricultural products like acha (hungry rice), honey, livestock, beans, maize, millet, and vegetables.
Clothing Africana is a fashion and styling outfit based in Lagos, while Shoe Planet Multi Concepts Ltd is a made-in-Nigeria designer, producer and marketer of high quality bags, shoes and other fashion-related products.
APNEG, is an association open to all Nigerian professionals resident in Egypt.
It was established to, among other things, work for the advancement of Nigeria, promote and project a positive image of Nigeria and her cultural values, promote mutual understanding among its members and serve as a channel of communication with the government and people of Nigeria.
