The Nigerian-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (NNCC) has been launched in Lagos to promote socio-economic relationship between Africa’s biggest economy and the Nordic country.

The chamber, according to its promoters, will essentially evolve new communications channel between Nigeria’s business corporates and their Norwegian counterparts.

Described as the first such bilateral chamber between an African country and Norway, NNCC is also expected to interface with relevant organizations in both economies to promote socio-cultural ties in the two countries.

NNCC’s inauguration was performed in Lagos by the Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, Rolf Kristian Ree, as part of the ceremonies marking the National Day of Norway.

At the event, Ree said: “The relationships between Nigeria and Norway are strong and good. They are growing. Nigeria is our largest trading partner on the African continent. However, Nigeria Norway relationship should not be reduced to profitable business opportunities only,” saying it should go beyond the present level of interaction to promote ethical and mutually beneficial economic, social and cultural relationships between the two countries.

On the strength of these reciprocal expectations, the Chairman of the chamber, Chijioke Igwe said the body will be undertaking economic and business research; promoting business development by aiding and supporting business entities’ identified interest areas through partnerships.

“It will create and provide action programmes designed to identify investment opportunities and put prospective partners together. The chamber will also promote trade shows, educational, civic, social and cultural programmes and fairs to foster business interaction, cultural and ethical value assimilation between business prospects.

“Businesses from both countries stand to derive immense benefits from the activities of the chamber. Enterprises that want to see their business grow into Norway and from Norway into Nigeria may never see a better opportunity to launch such initiatives than through the platform NNCC provides,” Igwe added.

So far, the founding members operate in the power; oil and gas; agriculture; construction; telecommunications; consultancy services; and other sectors in Nigeria.

To develop its maritime industry, Nigeria is to partner Norway. Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said.

Speaking when the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Rolf Ree, visited him, he said vertical and horizontal partnerships were required to grow the Nigerian maritime sector.

Peterside described Norway as a great maritime nation, which has earned global acclaim as a complete maritime cluster driven by technological development.

He reiterated NIMASA’s resolve to ensure safety and security on the waterways, noting that these will attract more investors to the country.

“Norway has a lot to benefit from Nigeria as we are a major player in Africa, especially the hydro carbon trade, and the country has a lot to benefit from Norway in the areas of expertise and technology needed to develop the sector. To this end, the Agency is prepared to enter into a partnership, provided it protects Nigeria’s interest and it is in accordance to our laws,” he said.

The NIMASA boss said the agency has committed itself to a number of initiatives, including the development of a medium term strategic growth plan and building alliances with critical stakeholders all aimed at leapfrogging the Nigerian maritime sector.

Ambassador Ree described the Nigerian maritime sector as very impressive and noted that the Norwegian Government was willing to collaborate with NIMASA for the development of the maritime sector in many areas, including enhancing the Nigerian flag.

He expressed Norway’s readiness to provide infrastructural and technical support to NIMASA in the country’s quest to assert itself as a major player in Africa.

Since he assumed office about two months ago, Peterside has sought collaboration from local and international stakeholders with a view to engendering a sustainable development of the maritime sector for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

(thenationonlineng)

Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ramtane Lamamra called on the international community to actively contribute to the implementation of the agreements signed in Mali and Libya to end conflicts in these two countries.

“The international community should positively participate in the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in Mali, resulting from Algiers Process,” Lamamra said in an interview with the Norwegian daily VG, to come out Monday.

The Foreign minister underlined that “the Libyan Government of National Accord, led by Fayez al-Sarraj, should be supported to help it restore peace and security in this country.”

As regards the issue of migration and people’s movement, Lamamra stressed the need to “join efforts to find appropriate solutions to crisis situations, with respect for human dignity.”

He also insisted on the need “to distinguish between refugees and migrants,” adding that “the latter must be dealt with in accordance with laws related to them.”

“We must, first, create conditions of stability and development to provide hope for the youth, on the one hand, and resolve conflicts to eradicate the root causes of forced displacements, on the other hand,” said Lamamra.

As regards the fight against terrorism, the Foreign minister recalled that “Algeria, which fought alone this scourge during 1990s, at a time when the world did not understand that terror threat has no border, has actively contributed to the counterterrorism efforts of the international community,” adding that “the response to the global threat can only be collective.”

Lamamra represented Algeria at the African-Nordic Foreign Ministers Meeting, held on 26 and 27 May in the Norwegian capital, Oslo.

Oslo Meeting brought together Foreign ministers of five Nordic countries and fifteen African countries.

The members of the Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) are appalled by the Sudanese government’s aerial bombardment of civilians in Kauda and the Heiban area of South Kordofan, including the bombing of St Vincent Elementary School on 25 May. The Sudanese government has a responsibility to protect all its citizens. We urge all parties to end the violence and allow immediate humanitarian access to those in need. We believe that the Roadmap presented by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel represents the way forward.

The Troika countries are also deeply concerned by the Government of Sudan’s de facto expulsion of Ivo Freijsen, the Head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan. The Government of Sudan’s action contributes to the increasingly difficult environment to address humanitarian needs in Sudan.

The humanitarian situation remains critical, with over 5.4 million people in need of humanitarian aid. We fully support OCHA’s mandate in Sudan and call on the Government to review this latest decision, and lift restrictions on the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to all Sudanese affected by crisis and conflict.

‘I am looking forward to receiving colleagues from 12 key African countries on Thursday and Friday this week. They include the foreign ministers of Africa’s two largest economies, Nigeria and South Africa. Developments in Africa are important to Norway, and we have many common challenges. African countries are also important as cooperation partners and markets,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

The Africa-Nordic Meeting of Foreign Ministers is held once a year, and is hosted alternately by an African and a Nordic country. Last year’s meeting was in South Africa. The meetings provide a framework for an informal, open dialogue on international topics that are relevant both to the Nordic region and to Africa. This year, issues on the agenda include economic development, job creation, migration and terrorism. The foreign ministers of the following countries will be attending the meeting: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa and Sweden. Finland will be represented by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, and Denmark by a state secretary from the Foreign Ministry.

‘Several of the world’s fastest growing economies
are in Africa. The continent has a large population of young people and there is a huge need for more jobs. Through our cooperation with African countries, we will seek to create a good framework for investment and job creation. At the same time, several African countries are facing major challenges related to terrorism and violent extremism. This creates security problems for us as well, and greater effort and closer cooperation are needed to deal with these issues,’ said Mr Brende.

Members of the press are invited to meet the foreign ministers when they visit the Holmenkollen ski jump at 18:00 on Thursday 26 May. They are also invited to the opening of the meeting at Holmenkollen Park Hotel at 10:00 on Friday 27 May. The foreign ministers will take a boat trip on the Oslofjord starting at 17:15 on Friday. This will be hosted by the Norwegian–African Business Association, and representatives of the Norwegian business sector will also take part.

(MFA)