The bank intends to become the leading export development bank in Africa by 2015 and believes the forum will provide an opportunity to bring this goal closer to realization.  It hopes to lead the African effort at boosting intra continental trade by fostering and facilitating trade linkages. 

One of the proposed points of discussion at the WEF that Nexim Bank is highly interested in will be; How can inclusive growth be fostered through partnerships and the promotion of Africa's small and medium enterprises?

"We are keen to speak to the South African business community as we believe that many symbiotic trade relationships can be formed to further strengthen both the South African and Nigerian economies alike", said Mr. Roberts Orya, Managing Director of Nexim Bank.

In support of this initiative, Nexim Bank has undergone a transformation that has enhanced shareholders' equity, business processes, focus, risk management and corporate governance.  This was achieved with the full backing of its major shareholders, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MoFI).

NEXIM is clear, that in order to accomplish greater business collaboration between the countries' SMMEs steps need to be taken on the ground. South Africa has world-class infrastructure, a wide array of high quality manufacturing industries coupled with skills and expertise. Nigeria has untapped non-oil mining and mineral reserves. Nigeria also makes up 60% of the West African population. This provides great opportunities and potential for Africa's two powerhouses.

The Bank has the broad responsibility of facilitating the diversification of the country's export and revenue base and invariably Nigeria's over - dependence on a mono product, i.e. oil. This is undertaken through the provision of finance, risk bearing, as well as trade information and value-added business advisory services to companies engaged in the production of goods and services for export.

The types of enterprises Nexim Bank collaborates with comprise the MASS (manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals and services) sectors to boost inter-regional trade. NEXIM's mandate is to leverage the Nigerian's government's targets on the development of non-oil exports.  These include improvement in the quality of Nigerian exports goods and services.

 

"We are engaged in a number of innovative projects in Nigeria and would be actively seeking out stable South African SMME's looking to expand in our territories with the purpose of collaborating with Nigerian companies", said Orya

 

About Robert Ungwaga Orya

 

Robert Orya is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEXIM Bank. His experience spans over 25 years in Banking and Financing covering Investment, Commercial and Mortgage Banking.

 

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To interview Robert Orya, please contact Grace Kadzere of Continuum Studios on 011 784 4314, 073 317 6581, grace@continuumstudios.co.za