Benefits of agrofood expo to Nigerian, Austrian firms, by Hengstler

Following the successful 2015 Agrofood and Plast Print Pack Exhibition, which was held in the country, Ms Nella Hengstler, Austria’s Commercial Counsellor told
FABIAN ODUM this year’s outing promises greater dividends for participants, in spite of the economic outlook. The second expo is scheduled for tomorrow.

Could you give a brief background of Nigeria-Austria trade relations as economic activities ramps up at the Nigeria AgroFood Expo?
Austria is a small but highly developed and wealthy country, in the geographical center of Europe. With a German speaking population of just nine million people, it counts among the richest countries in the world.
Austrian-Nigerian Trade stands at EUR 150million in 2015, down from EUR 477million the year before (2014), a development caused by the lower oil prices. Austrian products and machinery are well received anywhere, where manufacturers produce quality products and are interested in precise, state of the art high quality machines with reliable after sales services.

What is setting the tone for this continuing trade activities and the exhibition?
More than 50,000 Austrian companies are involved in exporting activities, most of them export to other European countries, with the prime trading partner being Germany, but Austrian companies are also successful outside Europe. Austria’s success is primarily based on its exporting industry as well as its thriving tourism industry.

The second edition of the successful Agrofood and Plast Print Pack Exhibition, which will take place at the Landmark Center from 26-28 April, is an ideal platform for foreign and local companies to meet and exhibit their products and knowhow.

What role would you be playing in meeting the expectation of participants and visitors at the Expo?
The Commercial Section of the Austrian Embassy will be presenting the following Austrian companies at this exhibition: Berndorf Band, manufacturer of endless transport and process belts made of steel or titanium; Sorgo, producer of high-tech systems for smoking as well as heat and cold treatment of food products.

Erema, manufacturer of machines for the production of high-quality plastic pellets and Zell-Metall, manufacturer of semi-finished plastic aterials by extrusion process as well as finished plastic components and engineering parts; Asco Drink Machines, manufacturer of industrial fruit juice mixers and dispensers and Akras Flavours, producer of flavours for the beverage, sweets, snacks, instant and dry food industries.

These companies are all looking to meet local agents, distibution partners and end users. The Commercial Section of the Austrian Embassy supports them and could be reached at.