Arik Air, Irish embassy to partner on trade mission

The Irish embassy in Nigeria and Enterprise Ireland are seeking to partner Arik Air on the Irish Trade Mission to Nigeria in December 2015.

Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sean Hoy, made the disclosure when he led a team of Enterprise Ireland officials to Arik Aviation Centre at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said the trade mission to Nigeria is expected to be one of the largest in recent times and there would be a lot of interest as there are about 250 aviation companies in Ireland.

The Irish embassy in Nigeria is committed to improving trade relations between Nigeria and Ireland, Hoy added.

Enterprise Ireland Head of Africa Region, Fred Klinkenberg, said the outfit is a government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in markets around the world.

It works in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate, and win export sales.

Irish Trade Mission Representative in Nigeria, Thessa Bagu, said Arik is the airline of choice and would be the official carrier to move the trade mission between Accra, Abuja, and Lagos.

Arik Chairman, Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, promised that the airline will fly the Lagos-Dublin route once there is enough traffic between Nigeria and Ireland.

He said Arik has become a strong force in Africa and has relationship with a number of Irish companies.