The Global Network of Export-Import Banks and Development Finance Institutions (G-NEXID) concluded its 10th Annual General Meeting today at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland with the election of Mr. Roberts U Orya, the MD/CEO of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) as its new ‘Honorary President.’
The G-NEXID, with a membership of 24 institutions – http://www.gnexid.org/index.asp – 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.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Orya thanked the members for his election as the 4th Honorary President of the Global Network of Export-Import Banks and Development Finance Institutions (G-NEXID). According to him, “…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.”
Validating the excellent work of his predecessors, Mr. Roberts Orya attested that, “the G-NEXID in the past nine (9) years of its establishment has transformed into an association of relevance to realize the objectives of its formation, largely through the able leadership and dynamism of institutions that held the past Honorary Presidency and commitment of members.”
Particularly, Mr. Orya lauded 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.
Mr. Orya stated 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. Expected benefits of such cooperation and partnerships would help improve trade and investment within the member countries; improve information sharing/capacity building – exchange programs among member institutions while enabling regional integration and the growth of niche markets.
Orya is the 4th 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).
