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Presentation by Rotarian Ndudi Osakwe (Market Entry Advisor)  to members and guests of the Rotary Club of Jerusalem, Israel NIGERIA, A COUNTRY ON THE MOVE UNPACKING THE OPPORTUNITIES Opportunity is defined as a set of circumstances that make it possible to do something. Today marks the beginning of a new Rotary year, with the presidential theme  ‘Rotary Opens Opportunities’. The theme encourages Rotarians around the world to seize the many opportunities Rotary offers to enrich their lives and the communities in which they serve. According to Holger Knaack, president of Rotary International 2020-2021, everything we do opens another opportunity for someone somewhere, to live a richer, more meaningful life. Opportunity has also been defined as a good chance for advancement or progress and can exist between countries for business, travel and friendship. Though COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world’s economy, crippled governments, businesses and restrict...

We welcome our numerous clients and readers to the Jubilee Year, 2013. It is with pleasure that we introduce our business focus for this year which would emphasise the promotion of Nigeria-Israel business relations.  Top reason being the Federal Government's call for economic transformation through Agriculture in order to contain the raging negative effect of unemployment, especially of graduate unemployment in the country. We are of the opinion that Israeli expertise in modern Agriculture/water resources management and its experience in homeland security matters would accelerate the efforts of the Nigerian Government's Transformation Agenda. In 2013 therefore, our business would focus on security and safety, economic development, travel for healthy living and investment attraction in collaboration with various partners and chambers of commerce in Nigeria and Israel.  Other countries that would be in our business radar are Brazil and Thailand. These countries,...

The Federal Executive Council has approved a new visa policy for the country designed to boost tourism, attract foreign investment and create employment opportunities. Minister of Information Labaran Maku said this while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja. Maku said the council’s approval was sequel to a memorandum presented by the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, for the harmonisation of Nigeria’s new visa policy. Explaining the policy, Moro who was also at the briefing, said the new visa regime contained new innovations and elements that would promote Nigeria’s strategic interests. The minister said the new policy would facilitate easier provision of visa to foreign investors, strategic visitors and tourists. He said that the policy would al...

The Free Trade Zone is a catalyst to business growth and economic expansion. It is also known as the export processing zone, free export zone and special economic zone. Whatever name it is called should not bother us, as it has been noted that the different terms over time and space often reflect the specific activities carried out within a particular zone. What should bother us is why we have not taken advantage of this opportunity to grow our economy? Clearly defined, a free trade zone is one or more special areas of a country where normal trade barriers such as taxes, tariffs and quotas are eliminated and bureaucratic requirements are lowered to attract new business and foreign investments. Corporations operating within a FTZ may also be granted certain host country income tax breaks or holidays as an additional incentive. These zones are often located in an underdeveloped part of the host country, and the zones are expected to promote economic activities and thus reduce pover...

In Nigeria, preowned cars take on the gloss of status symbol and have developed nicknames. The 2000 Honda Accord is widely known as "Baby Boy." The flashy 2003 Accord earned the sobriquet "End of Discussion." Then came the redesigned, equally impressive 2007 Accord: "The Discussion Continues."

Many of our clients are wondering why we have not reached them on possible areas to invest in Nigeria in 2011. Well, we waited to see the outcome of a gubernatorial rerun in one of the states whose election served as a litmus test to the newly inaugurated electoral body. 2011 is an election year in Nigeria and activities in this direction would commence with voters registration exercise, parties primaries, then campaigns for the elections slated for April, 2011. Reports emanating from various quarters indicate that this election would be like no other since the commencement of the fourth republic. Some northern elements within the ruling party is insisting on keeping the presidency in the North based on a zoning policy while the Niger Delta people in the party is of the opinion that their candidate already in the saddle of leadership as the president should continue in office. The other political parties looking to wrest power from the incumbent government seek candidates with credibl...