The Global Network of Export-Import Banks and Development Finance Institutions (G-NEXID) yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland elected the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Roberts Orya as its new ‘Honorary President.’
The G-NEXID, with a membership of 24 institutions was established in March 2006 at the joint initiative of Exim Bank of India and UNCTAD, as a platform to boost South-South trade and investment relations.
The primary objective of the Network was to serve as a channel to bridge the gap between financing of trade and the achievement of the development goals of developing and emerging economies by fostering South-to-South trade flows.
Specific to this goal was tackling the difficulties associated with access to trade finance in the fragile markets of the South aimed at spurring and stabilizing economic growth.
To achieve its objectives, the Network promotes information sharing, building trust and encouraging sharing of common lessons, deals and opportunities, effective practices for entering new markets, financing non-traditional goods and services, and establishing risk-sharing methods for investments among its members towards working together and promoting business development
With his election, Orya becomes the fourth Honorary President of the G-NEXID after Mr. Rubens V. Amaral Jr. Chief Executive Officer of Bladex (2013 – 2015); Mr. Jean-Louis Ekra, Chairman and President of the African Export-Import Bank (2009-2013); and Mr. T.C. Venkat Subramanian, Chairman and Managing Director of the Export-Import Bank of India (2006-2009).
Responding to his elevation, Orya said:“…I see my election as a privilege to serve and continue in the giant strides already made by my predecessors towards forging and fostering a strategically vibrant and mutually beneficial South-South trade relationship…. It is also an honour to my country, Nigeria, which is the largest economy in Africa…especially as we have just concluded a very peaceful Presidential election.”
He commended the outgoing Honorary President, Mr. Rubens Amaral Jr. who according to him, had in the last two years stepped up the achievements recorded thus far by taking giant strides to re-invigorate G-NEXID influence and reach. Notable among the specific activities are the new membership drive, increasing revenues, the institution of a Focal Group from active members of the Steering Committee, and the re-organization of the Secretariat, which has culminated in the recruitment of a new Coordinator.
Orya, in a statement by Head, Corporate Communication Department, NEXIM, Mr. Chinedu Moghalu further added that his tenure would be devoted towards boosting bilateral and multilateral agreements of all kinds between member export-import (Exim) banks and development-finance institutions (DFIs) as well as the development of appropriate collaborative framework and strategic partnerships with organizations such as Berne Union, Association of African Development Finance Institutions [AADFI], and other such regional economic initiatives to be evidenced by tangible transactional relationships.