Turkey-based multinational brand, Beko, has said it is building its first multimillion-dollar household appliances manufacturing plant in Nigeria in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.

More and more foreign investors are attracted to Nigeria as a preferred investment destination in West Africa even as local business owners complain that it is difficult for businesses to thrive in the country.

In addition to Pepkor, a South African clothing chain, Beko which recently opened its second showroom in Lagos, is another multinational brand that is making plans to establish more outlets in Nigeria. The company recently announced plans to open seven more showrooms in the country before the end of 2015.

According to the Corporate Business Development and Marketing Manager, Beko Nigeria, Mr. Inyang Umoh Ekere, though the company has been in Africa for years, the owners consider Nigeria to be the gateway to the subregion and an important player in their expansion bid.

He said, “Our presence here is to proceed from here to the entire subregion. We intend to rule the market. We have been in Nigeria for many years and what we are currently doing is rebranding and reintroducing our products into the market.

“Our target market is upwardly mobile young Nigerians. That is why our catchphrase is, ‘powered by smart generation.’ Most Nigerians are tending towards the direction of good and smart products that can perform multiple functions in one application.

A statement from the company described Beko as a domestic appliance and consumer electronics brand of Arcelik A.S controlled by Koc.

According to the statement, the company has won several international awards mostly as energy-efficient home appliance manufacturer. “It is the second largest market for household appliance in the United Kingdom, controlling 14 per cent of the cooler and seven per cent of the washing market in England,” the statement read.

http://watchdognews.net/turkish-hous...actory-in-uyo/

Good development.