A TURKISH businessman, Mr. Yavuz Zemheri, yesterday in Abuja said that increased participation of Nigerian women in business would contribute immensely to reducing unemployment in the country.
Zemheri, who is the President, Association of Business People and Investors of Nigeria and Turkey (ABINAT), stated this at a meeting with Nigerian businesswomen.
According to him, more women in business will be a catalyst for poverty alleviation, economic growth and general welfare of the society.
“Many eyes are on Nigeria, the giant of Africa, the most anticipated continent in terms of economic growth.
“You as women stand a chance to play a huge and vital role to achieve and speed up the realization of these global expectations.
“On the journey to fulfilling the dream of Africa being the world’s economic super power, we are ready to share our industrialization experiences and know-how with you.
“The Turkish private sector is popular for quality products and competitive prices in the global market. We want to help you to access and tap from this rich chain of quality production,” he said.
Zemheri said that to fulfill the association’s mandate, ABINAT had organised a five-day business trip to Turkey, where Nigerian women in business would meet over 200 manufacturing companies.
A Nigerian businesswoman and member of ABINAT, Miss Iffy Eze, said that being part of the association has impacted tremendously on her business.
“I am into the fashion business and ABINAT has helped to make my business bigger.
“I went with them to Istanbul last year and I got better discounts on goods. That way, I get more products and I sell at cheaper rates,” she said.
Another member of the group, Mrs Khadizah Abudullahi, said the association had exposed her to many business opportunities, and had made her to have direct dealings with international companies.
Abdullahi, however, urged the association not to only act as a middleman but also start business development programmes that would help women to learn how to grow and sustain their businesses.