By Sade Williams
The African Export-Import Bank, (AFRIEXIM Bank) has said that it will continue to strengthen its relationship with Arik Air and support the airline in every area possible.
Speaking when the Board of Directors of the bank paid a working visit to Arik Air office at the weekend, AFRIEXIM Bank President, Dr Benedict Oramah said they are supporting the airline because of the essential role it is playing in connecting people across Africa and making sure goods are delivered across the continent.
“We want to make sure they (Arik) are strengthened to do that. We also understand the difficulties in the environment, not only in Nigeria but in most African countries.
“Our’s is a bank created to deal with or support our clients under such situations. We also wanted to be briefed on how these things are affecting the company and what we can do to make sure they ride through the situation,” Oramah explained.
He reiterated that Arik Air is a long standing client of the African Export Import Bank and have worked together for several years, building a mutually rewarding partnership.
“This visitation is essential for us as a bank to see what the airline is doing and to listen to them about their future plans because we are promoting intra African trade with Arik Air as a strategic partner,” Oramah added.
In his response, Chairman, Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide thanked the AFRIEXIM Bank delegation for their visit.
He disclosed that the bank has been with the airline since inception, adding that Arik Air also has strategic partnership with a lot of institutions such as the American Exim Import Bank, EDC and CIV of China.
