Abuja, Dec. 12, 2023: The Federal Government says Nigeria is open, safe, willing, and ready for more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and partnerships to engender wealth and national growth.
Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi, said this at a Private Dialogue with delegations from Germany and Europe organised in Abuja on Monday.
”Nigeria is open, with about 200 million people and a vibrant and hardworking youth. The government is very keen to diversify the economy.
”The government has decided to look inward in mining, agriculture, infrastructure development, and construction, among others.
”The opportunities are enormous. We have stable democracy and liberal investment laws, and although we have some sticky points, that is where NIPC comes in.
”We have convening power to bring all the agencies together to address investors’ challenges. To those already here, we assist them to ensure retention,” she said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yussuf Tuggar, represented by Amb. Bolaji Akinremi, said Nigeria needed investment to create enough jobs for the teeming Nigerian youths.
” Hence, the Federal Government of Nigeria is fully committed to diversifying Nigeria’s economy by encouraging investments in all sectors.
” President Bola Tinubu is passionate about this. Thus, it explains his recent meeting with some Heads of Government to ensure this feat is achieved immediately.
” Government has therefore institutionalised some policies aimed at fast-tracking FDI into Nigeria.
”I, therefore, assure you that your investments in Nigeria are safe. The country has enough market, while minerals and human resources abound in Nigeria,” he said.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, commended the efforts of NIPC and development partners in driving President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
Uzoka-Anite, represented by the Director of Industrial Development, John Opaluwa, said Nigeria needed the collaborative hands of key experts to drive the economy.
According to her, the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan is the country’s roadmap to industrialisation. It aims to build industrial capacity and improve competitiveness in identified sectors.
While reiterating efforts aimed at bettering the lives of citizens, Uzoka-Anite said there was no doubt that Nigeria needed the collaborative hands of key experts to grow.
”The Federal government is steadfast in formulating and presenting policies and projects that will create an enabling environment to stimulate domestic investment.
”It is also committed to attracting FDI in all sectors of the economy and making Nigeria a preferred investment destination in Africa and the World,” she said.
For her part, Ms Victoria Akai, the Director-General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), expressed delight at the presence of the investors.
”The summit represents a significant milestone in fostering international collaboration and strengthening business ties between Germany, Europe, and Nigeria.
”It provides a unique platform for exchanging ideas, exploring investment opportunities, and forging partnerships that lead to economic growth and development, which Nigeria needs.
”Your participation is a testament to the importance of fostering mutually beneficial relationships between our nations,” Akai said.
She urged the participants to actively engage in fruitful discussions and explore avenues for collaboration to pave the way for inclusive development.
Meanwhile, Micheal Schmidt of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Head of the German/European Union delegation said the essence of the meeting was to drive trade in Nigeria.
He said the meeting was very important because it united governments, key decision-makers, the private sector, and UNIDO partners.
”It is a long-term process to increase exports; the market is not saturated, Nigeria’s main challenge is to fulfil the local market’s need, and there is a lot of positive development,” he said.
Schmidt urged the Nigerian government to keep the country open and be infrastructure efficient so it is easy to move in and out to make the business process easier.”
