Computer Warehouse bags U.S. Service award

Information Technology and Communications (ICT) company, the Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) has bagged the United States Commercial Service award participating actively in the International Buyer Programme based on volume imports from the US, at a ceremony held at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.

Commenting at the presentation, the Commercial Counselor, U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Larry Farris, noted that CWG has been a consistent business partner of major U.S. companies such as Dell, Sun Microsystems, IBM, Hughes, Harris-Stratex, Microsoft and Oracle, with trade volume in excess of $38m (about N444.6 million) between 2006 and 2008.

He later presented the award to the Group chief executive officer, CWG, Mr. Austin Okere.

In response, Okere expressed appreciation on the award and for the support his firm has received from the Commercial Service.

He dedicated the award to the company’s cherished customers who made it possible through their loyalty and patronage as well as the U.S. partners, “whose products have a compelling appeal due to their high quality.”

Okere also commended the U.S Embassy for pioneering trade enlightenment programmes such as the annual Computer, Telecommunications and Office Equipment (CTO) and organising trade missions to the U.S. to enhance trade partnerships between the two countries.

ITRealms Online recalls that CWG began from what industry observers described as humble beginnings 15 years ago, with over eight branches nationwide and Ghana, in addition to increased staff strength to over 400.

The Senior Commercial Specialist at the U.S. Embassy, Mr. Anayo Agu emphasized the need for the celebration of trade successes between Nigeria and the United States to encourage stronger partnerships between entrepreneurs of both countries.

He stressed the role of the U.S. Commercial section in promoting genuine businesses in Nigeria, and facilitating trade partnerships with counterpart U.S. businesses, explaining that apart from organising trade shows in both countries, the section provides referrals on companies registered with it.

Mr. Agu further urged more Nigerian companies to register and report their trade progress with US companies to correct the erroneous notion that Nigeria was not a desired destination for Foreign Investments and that there was a lack of ethics and governance in the business environment.

The Nigeria-U.S. Association (NUSA) was set up by the Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria to promote trade and investments between Nigerian and U.S. companies, with over 3,500 registered Nigerian business members.

Other U.S. Trade and investment services very active in Nigeria are the U.S. Export Import Bank, offering trade and project finance and credit guarantees in support of exports of US capital goods, the US Trade Development Agency (USTDA), offering grants for feasibility studies and for certain technical training programmes among others.


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