SOAN to Participate in Commonwealth Business Forum

The Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) has indicated its preparedness to participate fully in the fourth coming Commonwealth Business Forum.

The decision of SOAN, which comprises most of the active players in the shipping sector of the economy, was in line with the promise made by its president, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun during a press conference in April this year to herald the formal unveiling of the association.

A marine engineer, Ogbeifun promised to resolutely pursue the objectives of setting up the association by ensuring that Nigerian ship owners gain pre-eminence across the globe.

According to him, SOAN was created to articulate a concise roadmap aimed at resuscitating the almost comatose Nigerian maritime and shipping industry while providing a veritable platform for constructive engagement with policy makers and other stakeholders worldwide.

The decision of the association to attend forum followed a formal invitation given to SOAN by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).

According to the invitation the association has been asked to lead a private sector delegation within the Nigerian contingent to the 2015 Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) taking place in Valetta, Malta from November 24 to 26, 2015.

The CWEIC and the government of Malta are the hosts of the Commonwealth Business Forum, the apex organisation representing private sector businesses within the Commonwealth and the only institution vested with powers to promote intra-Commonwealth trade and investment. The event is designed to provide a space for high level dialogue between business and government leaders from the Commonwealth and beyond.

Giving an insight into the event, Ogbeifun said an important aim of the CBF is to develop stronger partnerships between governments and businesses to ensure that the Commonwealth plays its part in promoting sustainable growth across the world.

The Malta event, he emphasized, will create a platform for SOAN to meet and interact with the highest level of Nigerian government as the Nigerian delegation to the event (CHOGM) will be led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

His words: “Every government needs a credible platform to help interrogate issues and contribute to progressive policy formulation and SOAN promises to be that platform for the Nigerian maritime and shipping industry. On November 25, SOAN will host a Maritime Forum for about 500 delegates from the Commonwealth. The forum will be used to showcase to the Commonwealth nations the potentials in the Nigerian maritime and shipping industry and thereby attracting foreign investments to the nation.”