Welcome to the official website of the Nigeria-Belgium-Luxembourg Business Forum 2023
THEME:
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS
IN THE NON-OIL SECTOR
7th, 8th & 9th, June 2023
About the Forum
Backstory
Nigeria is the largest trading partner of the European Union, accounting for 60% of EU’s trade with West Africa. However, the trade between most of the countries in Europe has been largely traditional: Oil and Gas.
This is same with Belgium. With the rebasing of the Nigerian economy in 2014, it was observed that oil accounted for 12% of the country’s GDP, less than the contribution of Agriculture, Information Technology, Trade, Entertainment and Services. The Non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy had since then, been contributing substantially to growth and most times about 85% to the GDP of the country. Consequently, the Federal Government continued to diligently pursue the flagship programme, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) (now replaced by the National Development Plan 2021-2025), aimed at stabilising and diversifying the economy. The Federal Government identified agriculture and food security, power, industrialisation, employment and products such as cotton, cement, palm oil, shea abutter, petrochemicals amongst others, as areas of intervention in a bid to improve the export base and revenue generation. Nigeria is galvanizing resources and institutions to raise local production and improve the business environment which has improved considerably.
In cognisance with the policy stance of the present administration, especially, in promoting the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy, the Nigerian Embassy in collaboration with partners including the Belgium Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce - Brussels and Abuja, A-Law Firm, Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and Diplomatic Vista will convene a Business Forum under the Theme “Building Sustainable Partnerships in the Non-oil Sector” in two locations: Luxembourg and Belgium on the 7th, 8th & 9th June, 2023 respectively.
Host
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the European Union
Partners
Sponsors
Want to get involved?
Companies that are interested in hosting delegates from the official Nigerian Delegation at their offices can express their interest through info@nblbusinessforum.com
For more information about sponsorship, partnership and speaking opportunities please contact info@nblbusinessforum.com
For press enquiries please contact info@nblbusinessforum.com
Prof Adesoji Adesugba
Programming Editor
Speakers
H.E. Ambassador Obinna .C. Onowu
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Head of the Nigerian Delegation to the European Union and to the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.
H.E. Ambassador Daniel Bertrand
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Mrs. Hajja Gana Wakil
Ag Executive Secretary/CEO
Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
Mr. Abubakar Yerima
Director Investment Promotion Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
Mr. Dirk Verbeke
Sales Director
TELEVIC
Mr. Johan Malin
Project Manager
International Financial Institutions
Dept. of International Trade
FLANDERS INVESTMENT & TRADE
Mr. Dominiek Viaene
CEO and Owner
Protex Healthcare
Mr. Joeri Colson
Deputy Director
FINEXPO
Mr. Rob Deckers
Owner MD Trucks BV
Owner RMR Forwarding BV
Co-owner TDM Motors West Africa
Mr. Mazowe Bingala
Member of Advisory Board
The Luxembourg Africa Investments Association (LuxAfrica)
Mr. Benjamin Charles ZINSOU-BODE
CEO,
CODEB Limited
Mr. Olivier Dufrasne
President
Ecosteryl
Mr. Philippe Droesbeke
Manager Port Projects
Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Mr. Geert Peetermans
co-CEO
Incofin Investment Management
Head Of Sales – Partnerships
Ebury
Mr. Maxime Istace
Mrs. Chinedu Rita Rosa
Founder
Vines by Rosa
Mr. Marc Beerlandt
CEO
MSC BELGIUM
Mr. Hans Cami
Commercial Eng- Senior Business Development Manager
Jan De Nul
Mrs. Mireille Janssens
Business Development,
Credendo
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Forum's Objectives
The objectives of the Forum include amongst others:
a. Promoting Nigeria as an attractive destination for investment.
b. Increasing bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and Belgium/Luxembourg;
c. Attracting Foreign Direct Investment into the Nigerian economy;
d. Sensitizing Belgium and Luxembourg business communities on the opportunities available in the Non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy;
e. Building partnerships and enhance contact between businesses
f. Building sustainable business partnership between the government and private sectors of Nigeria, Belgium and Luxembourg.
The Forum will focus on these sectors:
Agri-Business
Health
Construction/Infrastructure
Renewable Energy
Financial Services
Mining & Solid Minerals
Tourism
Telecommunication
Transport and Logistics
Food & Beverages
Focus Sectors
Structure
The three day event will include the following:
Plenary/opening Session;
Thematic Sessions/Panel Discussions
Country/Sector Presentations/Expo
B2B/B2G meetings
Company visits
Reception at Ambassador’s residence
Expected Outcomes
The meeting is expected to have the following main outcomes:
Promote cooperation between the public and private sectors of the countries;
Secure investment in diverse priority and emerging industries for mutual benefits;
Knowledge sharing on innovative business and financing models, to support private sector engagement in the priority sectors of the Nigerian Economy;
It is also envisaged that the deliberations will lead to actionable suggestions and follow-up actions by stakeholders in the overall context of sustainable business partnerships.
Target Audience
Participants at the Forum would include:
- Policy makers from Nigeria, Belgium and Luxembourg responsible for the implementation of national development policies and strategies in the Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Health, Export and Import Zone, Power and Information and Communication Technology sectors;
- Members of the business communities of the countries;
- Partners and other interested organizations.