WISTA set to hold annual WISTA Business Luncheon

… identify innovation, digitalization as solution to maritime woes

By Seun Ibiyemi

In a bid to proffer solutions to the challenges in the maritime sector, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria will lead industry experts in exploring apt innovations to enhance maritime tourism, safety, marine environment, among other pertinent shipping issues at its 2022 summit, next week.

The 2022 annual WISTA Business Luncheon and Magazine Launch, themed; “Innovation and Digitalization for Sustainable Shipping,” will hold on Thursday, September 29th, 2022 at Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos by 1pm.

Speaking at a press conference today, the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Mrs. Rita Egbuche posited that the discourse around innovation and digitalization would better position the nation’s maritime sector for profitability and seamless operations.

Her words: “Shipping is a big business and we have to look at key areas that can guarantee sustainable shipping. A lot of businesses thrive on shipping, so we have decided to look at innovation and digitalization which is about bringing new ideas for efficiency and sustainability. Innovation and digitalization will curb the losses, delays and spur maritime businesses, hence, our focus on this topic.”

“We would have panelists also discuss the topic from their various areas of expertise. An expert in Maritime Tourism will highlight sustainable development and innovations in this area; while another person will speak on Marine Environment and the last speaker on Safety issues”

She noted that the programme will also feature an award segment with certain individuals already identified for celebration as a result of their support for women in the nation’s maritime sector.

Also speaking at the press conference, the President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke observed that finance is one the biggest challenges in the nation’s shipping sector and opined that it bites harder on women.

She, however, expressed optimism that with the increasing role of Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank and the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), women will have better access to finance.

The Chairman/ CEO of Elshcon Nigeria Limited, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji will be the Guest Speaker at the event and this lecture by the former President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (PHCCIMA), will be the only lecture.

According the WISTA President, the 2022 Business Luncheon will be brief because the event holds on the World Maritime Day (WMD) with industry stakeholders possibly having earlier international and local functions on the same day.

In her remarks, the Vice President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs. Anna Akpan encouraged industry operators to create ample opportunities for women in the sector, even as she maintained that women also have to develop themselves to be competent.,