Pictured above: (l-r) Peter Stephenson and Alistair
Cook
Intrepid Leicestershire exporter Alistair Cook is prepared to
venture to all four corners of the globe to sell his company's
picture-framing equipment. He's been to Russia and India, Japan and
Hungary, he's even considering Iran and Kazakhstan.
Now he's setting off on a UK Trade & Investment market
research visit to Nigeria - a country with huge sales potential but
a reputation as a difficult place to do business.
When he gets there he'll be looking for opportunities to market
the picture farming equipment and tools sold by his company Framers
Corner, based in Coalville near Leicester.
To help put the firm "in the picture" about Nigeria, Peter
Stephenson Director of Trade at the High Commission in Lagos paid a
visit to the firm. He said:
"Nigeria has enormous sales potential as it has a population of
130 million. It is also fairly wealthy as it's the largest
oil producer in Africa. It has suffered from a reputation for
corruption and red tape, but the government is now tackling these
issues and more and more overseas companies are starting to do
business with us.
"I'm sure Alistair will be made very welcome in Nigeria.
He has succeeded in exporting to all sorts of countries,
mainly due to his in-depth market knowledge and willingness to
travel overseas and make face- to-face contact. He is proof
that a niche business from a small town can quickly grow its
profits through export. I hope more East Midlands businesses
follow his lead and venture out into Nigeria in the next few
years."
Alistair says: "I've never been afraid to do business overseas.
I've been on market research visits and attended exhibitions all
over the world, often with help from UKTI. I'm looking forward to
the Nigerian trip and will be visiting artists, galleries and
museums when I'm out there."
Peter Stephenson also met a number of other East Midlands
businesses to tell them about export opportunities in
Nigeria.