Third German-Nigerian Business Forum
The third German-Nigerian Business Forum is taking place in Hamburg, Germany from September 20-21. The event provides a platform for key public and private sector players from Nigeria to share information and create opportunities for partnerships with German companies.
After a successful second German-Nigerian Business Forum in Abuja in November 2009, with more than 300 participants, the organizing parties, the German-African Business Association in co-operation with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in West Africa and the Nigerian-German Business Association, once again bring together German and Nigerian business partners at this year’s forum.
The two-day conference gathers a wide range of high-ranking Nigerian public and private sector representatives and decision makers, including those of the local German business community, with German company representatives. The forum informs about the opportunities of Nigerian-German partnerships in various business sectors.
(© picture-alliance/dpa)
Nigerian and German experts will present and discuss the following issues:
· Energy, Oil and Gas
· Infrastructure
· Banking and Finance
· Health Care and Pharmaceuticals
· IT and Telecommunication
Nigeria, after South-Africa, is Germany’s most important trading partner in the Sub-Saharan region. With a population of some 150 million, it constitutes the biggest national economy of West Africa. With an economic growth of approximately 6 percent in 2009, Nigeria’s economy is still booming. Hence, the country recovered quite quickly from the decline in oil prices in 2008.
The oil and gas industry remains the most important industry sector. About 90 percent of all Nigerian exports derive from this sector.
The diversified economic structure is increasingly offering business opportunities for German companies in various sectors. In recent years, the government successfully improved Nigeria’s business environment through deregulation and privatisation, as well as greater transparency and accountability and is planning to implement further reforms.
“Nigeria is an important strategic partner for Germany. A broad market opening in Nigeria is a win for both sides. Nigeria opens up interesting new vistas for German companies and entrepreneurs,” stated Peter Hinze, the German Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Technology.
