NCBC Holds Business Parley For Women Tasks Them To Believe In Their Value Ideas

To ensure economic transformation in the country, the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, has advised women entrepreneurs to believe in the values of their ideas and avail themselves of Government’s business intervention programmes for economic empowerment.

The Executive Secretary of NIPC, Ms Aisha Rimi who gave the advice in Abuja during a Forum organized by the Nigeria – China Business Council, NCBC described women as key to national economic development hence the need for them to be effectively engaged in growing the country’s trade and investment.

Ms Aisha Rimi who was represented by a Deputy Director in NIPC, Mrs Victoria Aigbedion said the Commission would continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting women inclusion in economic development.

While identifying various business opportunities and advantages Nigerian women entrepreneurs could benefit from China, the Executive Secretary urged them to embrace technology towards boosting their business productivity.

Speaking on the theme of the forum “The Role of Women and the Benefits of Nigeria – China Bilateral Business Relations”, the National Co-ordinator, Nigeria – China Business Council, NCBC, Dr. Sam Agbi highlighted to contributions of women in economic development and stressed the need for them to be stronger economic actors, innovators and leaders

‘”The Nigeria-China Business Council was not created simply to encourage importation but our vision has always been much broader and more strategic. We believe that the Nigeria-China relationship must translate into:
Investment;
Manufacturing;
Technology transfer;
Skills acquisition;
Job creation;
Entrepreneurship development;
Industrialisation; and
Sustainable economic growth”.

According to him, over the years, the Council has organized and facilitated trade missions, investment forums, business matchmaking programmes, seminars and engagements between Nigerian and Chinese entrepreneurs and institutions. Its work has also focused on connecting members with suppliers, investors, manufacturers and business opportunities while promoting stronger economic cooperation between both countries.

In his words”Our journey has produced visible and tangible results. Through our networks and engagements, companies such as Skyrun and other Chinese enterprises have been attracted and connected to opportunities in Nigeria as part of the broader effort to promote investment, manufacturing and commercial partnerships”

“More recently, the Council reported efforts that have helped attract significant investment interest and commitments into Nigeria, demonstrating that purposeful business diplomacy can produce measurable economic outcomes. Our flagship program and Advocacy,from trade to Transformation, Investment Roundtable held with investors from Shanghai China in Abuja, Kano and Lagos are some of our testimonials” He said

“But Ladies and Gentlemen, our work is far from complete.
*The Power of Women in Business and Nation Building*
There is no serious discussion about economic development without recognising the indispensable role of women.
Women are not only participants in the economy; women are builders of economies.
Women manage businesses. Women create markets. Women provide leadership. Women nurture families. Women educate children. Women sustain communities. Women contribute immensely to agriculture, trade, manufacturing, services, technology and the creative economy.
Indeed, a woman who succeeds in business does not succeed alone. She creates employment. She strengthens families. She educates children. She inspires communities and contributes to national development.
The role of women begins in the home but certainly does not end there.
Women play critical roles in the home, businesses, communities and nations. The same qualities that make many women effective managers of homes—discipline, resilience, resourcefulness, patience, planning and the ability to manage limited resources—are also qualities required to build successful businesses and strong nations”

“Therefore, empowering women economically is not charity.
It is economic strategy.
When women have access to knowledge, finance, markets, technology and international partnerships, they become stronger contributors to national prosperity.
*Why Nigeria-China Relations Matter to Women”

Dr. Sam Agbi stated that the Nigeria-China relationship presents enormous possibilities for Nigerian women entrepreneurs.
China’s experience in manufacturing, technology, e-commerce, agriculture, textiles, renewable energy and small-scale enterprise development offers important opportunities for knowledge sharing and commercial collaboration.
For Nigerian women, bilateral business relations can open doors to:
New markets;
Technology and innovation;
Skills and capacity development;
Manufacturing partnerships;
Access to machinery and equipment;
International sourcing opportunities;
Business networking;
Investment partnerships; and
Greater participation in global value chains.
But we must also understand that opportunities do not come to those who merely wait.

“Opportunities respond to preparation.
That is why this Forum is important.
We want Nigerian women to move from being merely consumers to becoming producers.
From being importers alone to becoming manufacturers.
From operating only small businesses to building scalable enterprises.
From local markets to accessing regional and international markets.
From seeking opportunities to becoming creators of opportunities.
A Call to Action
My dear sisters and distinguished participants, I want to challenge every woman here today:
Believe in the value of your ideas”.

“Every great enterprise started with an idea.
Every successful entrepreneur started somewhere.
Every major economic transformation began with people who were prepared to see opportunities where others saw difficulties.
Nigeria needs women entrepreneurs who will think beyond today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities and the Nigeria-China Business Council remains committed to building bridges between Nigerian businesses and genuine Chinese partners”.

He explained that the NCBC shall continue to promote investment, facilitate business engagements, encourage technology transfer, support entrepreneurship and create platforms for meaningful economic cooperation.

“For us, the future of Nigeria-China business relations must not simply be measured by the volume of goods traded between our two countries.
It must be measured by:
The factories we build.
The technologies we acquire.
The skills we develop.
The businesses we establish.
The jobs we create.
And the lives we transform.
And women must be at the centre of this transformation.
Conclusion
Let this Forum become more than a gathering.
Let it become a movement.
A movement for stronger women
A movement for stronger businesses.
A movement for stronger Nigeria-China economic cooperation.
I thank our strategic partner, Women Inspire Africa, our distinguished guests, speakers, entrepreneurs, investors and all participants for being part of this important journey’ He stressed

“Let us build stronger partnerships.
Let us empower more women.
Let us expand global opportunities.
And let us transform the potential of Nigeria-China bilateral relations into prosperity for our people.
Thank you, and I wish us all a most productive and impactful Forum”.

Dr. Sam Agbi said Nigeria – China Business Council would continue to support efforts aimed at inspiring women entrepreneurs towards actualizing their business ideas for economic growth and empowerment.

Other speakers ar the forum commended NCBC for organizing the event and emphasized the need for women to have access to business financing, infrastructure and technology to enable them contribute their quota to national economic development.

The women business parley was attended women and men trade associations, women entrepreneurs as well as other stakeholders in Nigeria’s economy sector.