Project Coordinator UK Nigeria 100 Project Jennifer Oyelade has said the organisation would partner the UK Trade and Investment Association to strengthen bilateral trade between both countries. Oyelade said this at the official unveiling of the organisation at Asokoro in Abuja.
According to her, the project is also aimed at celebrating Nigeria’s centenary.
“The UK Trade and Investment Association in collaboration with Say It Loud Africa and Transquisite Consulting are celebrating this significant landmark by acknowledging the relationship the nation has built with the UK over the years.
“It also aims at encouraging businesses from both nations to solidify those relationships by engaging in bilateral trade. We have created this platform to encourage bilateral trade between the UK and Nigeria by partnering with 100 UK SMEs with 100 Nigerian SMEs to engage in business opportunities and further their scope of operations,’’ she said.
She said that the project would be focusing on the creative industry by identifying SMEs in sectors such as the media, fashion and design, film, entertainment and creative information technology.
“These are sectors that have been creating waves in both countries and if the industries join forces to bring their specialism to the table, the end result will indeed be revolutionary.
“This will ensure the growth of bilateral trade, the economies of both countries and also strengthen the relationship within the two nations.’’
The director said that the online platform of the project would create flexibility for businessmen and women who operated in different parts of the world to interact.
“There are so many individuals who had a lot to offer, but did not have a platform to stand on. It will therefore allow them to partner and combine resources to enable them widen their scope of operations and brand recognition.
“The project would also encourage SMEs to find innovative growth solutions by engaging the Diaspora community in this project and support Diaspora interest in doing business in Nigeria and vice versa.’’
Oyelade urged Nigerians, who were interested to know more about the project, to visit the organisation’s Website on “www.uknigeria100.net ‘’. She said the project was in line with the objectives of the United Kingdom Trade and Investment Association and the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce.
