§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the dates and location of conferences supported by the British Government to encourage British investment and trade with Nigeria since 18 November 1993; what plans his Department has to support further events in Nigeria or in Britain; and if he will make a statement on his Department's support for such ventures in the future. [1207]
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 21 November 1995]: Officials of my Department have taken part in seminars on trading with Nigeria since 18 November 1993 that have been organized by the following:
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- February 1994: Bristol Chamber of Commerce
- May 1994: Kent Export Forum
- August 1994: Sheffield Mining Forum
- October 1994: London Chamber of Commerce/BEAMA
- November 1994: Thames Valley Export Forum
- June 1995: Thames Valley Export Forum
- July 1995: Energy Council
- October 1995: Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce.
My Department has also organised within this time five general "Opportunity Africa" seminars which have featured presentations on Nigeria.
Support has been offered to the London, Bristol and Kent chambers of commerce for outward missions to Nigeria planned for next year.
My Department has scaled down the level of its promotional activity in recent years because of the political and economic situation in Nigeria. We will continue to keep the level of activity under review. However, it remains our policy to support UK companies in their efforts to secure business in what remains an important market.