By Franklin Alli
The Bank of Industry(BOI) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) to showcase made in Nigeria products at the  forthcoming 2012 Olympics in London.

In a statement, the Managing Director of the bank, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, said that the partnership was expected to create a platform to facilitate trade and build strategic alliances in the United Kingdom, Europe and the rest of the world.

Oputu said the Olympics would give Nigeria the opportunity to project its 160 million strong markets as one of the best investment opportunities in the world.

She said the bank’s pioneering partnership with NOC is one of its collaboration with many domestic and foreign development partners in the public and private sectors for a more effective and positive projection of Nigeria at the Olympic as the world’s most vibrant market..

According to her, the partnership has three components that are being programmed for three locations that have been booked and secured in the United Kingdom.

She stressed that one of the components will take place in Surrey which is the second highest contributor after the city of London to the United Kingdom treasury.

“Surrey because that is where Nigerian athletes would be camped for most part of June and July 2012 before the games commence in London on July 27,” she said.

She said the other two venues are the Theater Royal in Stratford, East London where Nigeria House will be situated and the Dorchester Hotel in Central London, which is the venue for the high level business and investment summit on Nigeria scheduled to take place on the 30th and 31st July, 2012.

The President NOC, Mr. Sani Ndanusa said the key deliverable of the partnership is to see areas where Nigeria can use sport for development and also to add value to the Nigerian economy.

“We need a bridge to take you to the world and this is what this partnership is all about. There is need for partnerships such as this with sincerity of purpose because of the great opportunities to showcase our Made-in-Nigeria goods to the world. This is the biggest opportunity that Nigeria has ever had to bring the country to the globe in a very precise manner,” he said.

He, therefore, urged entrepreneurs to improve on the quality of their goods to meet international standard saying the Olympics will avail entrepreneurs the opportunity to connect with about 250 countries that will participate in the Olympics.