The 47-year-old Buea-based Pan African Institute for Regional Development (West Africa) has set the pace for accelerated business deals between Cameroon and Nigeria.

This was during a workshop that brought its business-minded students face-to-face with experienced resource persons. The workshop held under the theme ‘Doing Business with Nigeria’.

In his keynote address, the Nigerian Consul General for the South West and North West regions, His Excellency Dan N. Wari, assured the enthusiastic students that the coast was clear for them to engage in trade links with Nigeria.

Dan N. Wari in a paternal tone cautioned the students to initially engage in their business venture with Nigeria on a trial basis. He said they should, “test the waters first” before deciding to go full scale. He defined several types of business deals that the students could legally engage in with their Nigerian counterparts.

The Consul General balanced his talk by outlining a number of challenges that the students may encounter that could hamper their venture, depending on what they were interested in marketing.

On the other hand, the students were happy to learn that they could export agric products into Nigeria duty-free. What’s more, they became more elated when told that they did not even need a passport to get into that vast land of promise. Dan N. Wari assured them that a Joint Border Control Post is envisaged to be set up at Ekok soon. Its purpose, he disclosed, will be to facilitate cross-border trade between Cameroon and Nigeria.

Be Well Informed

Speaking on behalf of the South West Customs regional boss, Customs Inspector, Rene Ngah Fonyuy, told the students to go to any customs post and thoroughly acquaint themselves with the exports procedure firsthand.

He said this will save them from falling into the hands of people who impersonate customs officers at the ports, beaches or wharfs. He equally reminded them to opt to carry on their trade venture legally rather than attempt to either enter or exit through the porous border waterways.

Meanwhile, the Regional Director of PAID, Dr. U. Essia told the thrilled students that they could kick-start their business venture into Nigeria loaded with simple items like common CHOCOCAM products that are in high demand. He also narrated a list of agricultural products that can enable them find a ready market right at the Border States with Nigeria.

Other speakers included the Chairman, Go Ahead Africa, Roland Kwemain. According to him, “Nigeria is a blessing to Africa”. He too cautioned the students to start small, be innovative, patient and above all, prayerful and humble.

Tabi Godfred Betek, the Fako Divisional Delegate for Trade, talked to the students from firsthand experience, as a past student in Nigeria.

In tandem with the other speakers, he also advised the students to contact relevant services based in Fako division (Chamber of Commerce, Delegations of Trade, Small and Medium size Enterprise, Shipping Agencies etc, in order to be properly informed before they embark on the very challenging venture of business.

Before the close of the workshop, it was announced that a group called Young Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa has already programmed itself to embark on an exciting maiden business trip to Nigeria come October 2016.

Pic: L-R Mr. Tabi Godfred Betek, Regional Delegate, Trade: H.E Dan N. Wari, CG of Nigeria for SWR/NWR; Dr. U. Essia, Director PAID-WA Buea; Mr Roland kwemain, Chairman Go Ahead Africa; Mr. George Mofor, Facilitator.