DIT London, ERDF Target Nigeria, Ghana To Set Up Businesses

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

It has been confirmed that representatives from energy, infrastructure and education and training companies will be participating in the Department for International Trade (DIT) London trade mission to Nigeria and Ghana, which holds from September 25-30, 2016.

It was learnt that this year’s mission will be led by Carl Woolf, International Trade Adviser, Department for International Trade, London Region, the organisers disclosed.

Commenting, Carl Woolf said: “We are delighted to bring UK companies to these two markets. British companies, mainly from London, will be visiting Lagos and Accra with a view to establishing long-term business relations and gain deeper understanding of business practices in both markets.

“Our delegates, who bring a wide range of products, service and expertise, will be meeting with their Nigerian and Ghanaian counterparts who represent a variety of companies and organisations. I welcome this opportunity to develop trade links between West Africa and UK delegates.”

As part of the European Regional Development Fund’s (ERDF) ‘Global Growth’ Project, the mission aims to enhance the competitiveness of London SMEs in international markets. The mission participants have a range of objectives, including looking for local representatives, qualified distributors or agents and clients.

The Department for International Trade has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to our shores.

It is a specialised body with significant new trade negotiating capacity, taking on the responsibilities of UK Trade & Investment, along with the relevant trade functions of the former Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. We also have oversight of UK Export Finance and UKTI’s Defence and Security Organisation.

DIT works to promote UK exports of goods and services, to support a growing economy that creates wealth for all, supports jobs and meets our wider national interests; deliver the best international trading framework for the UK outside the EU, including through building our capacity to negotiate and administer a national trade policy; and maximise opportunities for wealth creation through supporting Foreign Direct Investment, with a renewed focus on outward FDI (overseas direct investment).

The European Regional Development Fund is responsible for management of the EU funding which stimulates regional economic development.