First Bank of Nigeria Plc, a leader in the Nigerian banking sector, has thrown its weight behind ComBIT 2008 Expo the annual international communications, business systems and information technology exhibition and conference organized by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (Atcon).
The flagship event is endorsed and supported by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Ministry of Information and Communications.
The bank is teaming up with other socially responsible corporate organizations which have indicated interest in participating and sponsoring the mega exhibition and conference designed by Atcon to stimulate further growth of Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector by attracting global ICT market leaders to invest in Nigeria as well as introduce new technologies, systems and services to the Nigerian ICT market.
By this gesture, First Bank of Nigeria Plc has demonstrated its leading position as a Nigerian bank that actively supports the accelerated development of the Nigerian telecommunications and information technology sector. It is on record that First Bank has made huge investments in the Nigerian telecommunications and information technology sector through projects financing and loans syndication in favour of many operators in the sector.
Besides, First Bank is a frontline bank in the application of information technology in its banking services. Its online banking has helped its teeming customers across the nation and beyond to enjoy varieties of e-transactions that have made banking very easy and interesting. The bank will be showcasing its innovative e-banking packages to the high network guests at ComBIT 2008.
Established since 1894, First Bank of Nigeria Plc has continued to prove itself as truly the first in terms of dependability and dynamism. It is one of the few banks that the Nigerian telecommunications and information technology sector can really bank on for support at all times.
Meanwhile, there are clear indications that ComBIT 2008 will be over subscribed if the responses already received by the secretariat are taken into consideration. True to its promise, Atcon has registered a good number of foreign companies from Singapore, China, Germany and Austria. Trade missions from some other countries are still discussing with the organizers. From the local scenes, most of the regular exhibitors have already signed on and are getting ready for the expo.
Interestingly, the competition between Global Systems for Mobile communications (GSM) network operators as well as fixed wireless and mobile operators will shift to the venue of ComBIT 2008 expo as players in this sub-sector of the industry are jostling for vintage positions at the expo to demonstrate competitive edge.
According to David Roberts, chairman, Planning Committee, analysis of the whole scenario shows that while old players would want to demonstrate their industry leadership at the mega expo, new entrants see ComBIT 2008 as an opportunity for strategic announcement of their entry and effective presence in the competitive market. For those who recently underwent corporate re-branding, ComBIT 2008 is perhaps seen as a cost-effective platform to achieve greater visibility mileage, acceptability and goodwill amongst highly discerning subscriber public.
Moreover, ComBIT 2008 is offering strategic opportunities to sponsors and big exhibitors to enhance their corporate efforts towards gaining the competitive advantage in the vibrant ICT market.
ComBIT Expo is a product of Atcon’s strategic re-branding of Nicomm Exhibitions & Conferences organized annually by the association in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Communications, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as well as other industry stakeholders since 1995. Worried by the absence of an all encompassing global ICT event in Nigeria despite the current revolution in Nigeria’s ICT market, Atcon as the umbrella ICT industry Association decided to re-strategize, partner with relevant local and international industry players and stakeholders to float a mega ICT expo that appeals to global, regional and local ICT operators and experts every year.
