UBA Partners Vintage Visions for Ghana-Nigeria Business Summit 2008

United Bank for Africa Plc, Africa's global bank is partnering with Vintage Vision Limited, Ghana, for the successful hosting of the Ghana-Nigeria Business Summit, 2008. The Summit, scheduled to hold at the Accra International Conference Center, Ghana, from October, 6-8, 2008, is conceived as a business platform to forge closer business ties between Nigeria and Ghana.

Speaking at a press briefing to sensitize the public on the Summit in Lagos recently, Mr. Charles Aigbe, Head External Relations, UBA Plc explained that UBA's support is predicated on its desire to see the deepening of the business relations between both countries. "We are delighted to be part of this initiative because it represents a structured approach to facilitating the flow of investments between the two most vibrant economies in the sub-region as well as promoting economic growth and development" he said.

Commenting on UBA's foray into the Ghanaian Financial market, he noted that UBA pioneered the expansion of Nigerian banks into Ghana in 2004 with the establishment of UBA Ghana. "From a two-branch bank at inception, UBA Ghana has expanded to 16 branches, bringing a fresh dynamism to banking in Ghana. The success of UBA Ghana, has attracted other Nigerian banks to the West African country" he concluded.

The Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro who was in the country to drum up support for the up coming event said the summit will strengthen the long standing relations between both countries and address impediments to the flow of trade and businesses. In his words "there exist huge potentials for trade and investments between both countries because of proximity and historical ties" he said.

Also in his comment, the Ghanaian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kwame Tenkorang, said the people of Ghana are excited at the prospects and opportunities offered by the conference. He said much was expected from the bilateral ties especially given the increased manufacturing capacity and improved local demand in Africa. He pointed out that sustained democracy and economic stability has opened up huge potentials in key sectors like oil and gas, manufacturing, agro allied, tourism, telecoms and mining.

Meanwhile the 2-day conference seeks to achieve among other objectives, the signing of a trade agreement between Ghana and Nigeria to provide a platform for a conducive business environment for small, medium and big businesses, accelerated economic integration and development through public and private sectors collaborations and the inauguration of the Nigeria-Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Source: Tradingmarkets.com