Fidelity Bank recently hosted the maiden edition of its international trade expo in the United Kingdom where Nigerian-based businesses were showcased to the world.
The expo tagged -the Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC), featured a host of activities designed to position Nigerian businesses for increased partnership, financing, product-offtake and investment opportunities in the United Kingdom and Europe.
According to MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the event in collaboration with strategic partners created the platform to connect Nigerian exporters with UK buyers.
This inaugural edition of the Fidelity International Trade & Creative Connect (FITCC) hosts more than 100 exhibitors from Nigeria with product offerings ranging from processed food to fashion, fintech and the arts.
She said the event was an extension of the support that the bank provides to the business ecosystem in Nigeria as work to help them compete favourably on the global stage.
The well-attended event also featured keynote addresses by Prof Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman, African Export and Import Bank (AFREXIM) and Aminu Takuma, Regional Coordinator, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) who discussed “Leveraging International Partnerships to Transform Africa’s Trade & Creatives” and “Selling Nigeria to the World (Spotlighting Investment Opportunities and Incentives) respectively.
Mustafa Chike-Obi, Chairman, Fidelity Bank Plc gave a keynote address titled, “Connecting Nigeria to the World Through Trade Enhancements and Creative Exchange” while Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria also anchored a fireside chat on “Fintech and the Creative Economy: The New Growth Frontiers for Nigeria” with Patrick Smith, Editor, Africa Confidential.
In his goodwill message at the expo, the Minister of State (Development and Africa), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell, expressed his gratitude to Fidelity Bank for putting together the conference, stating that “The UK is an obvious market for Nigeria with our common language, flourishing diaspora community and complimentary time zones; and Nigeria’s economic potentials is a great fit for many UK businesses and investors.
