President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that Nigeria remains the most viable and attractive investment destination in Africa, adding that the country is on the path of becoming the continents leading industrial and trading nation.
Addressing a Trade and Investment Forum at Dubai Expo 2020 in the United Arab Emirate, (UAE), organised by Nigerian Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce, Nigerias Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), yesterday, the President said Nigeria is reaping from the efforts his administration has made to consciously improve the investment environment.
According to the president, “Nigerias pavilion at the Expo 2020 clearly shows why we remain the most viable and attractive investment destination in Africa.
Our location, our natural resources, our population, and our regulations are there for all to see. Nigeria is on its way to becoming a leading industrial and trading nation in Africa. To achieve this, our Government focused is on policies, projects and programs that support private sector investors. We introduced numerous fiscal incentives and infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the viability of investments.
“Despite the adverse global economic environment of recent years, Nigerias investment environment has greatly improved both at the national and sub-national levels”.
President Buhari assured captains of industry, and entrepreneurs, who have shown interest and commitment to further, enhance trade and investment relations with Nigeria, that his administration would continue to work with them to improve the business climate especially as the African Continental Free Trade Area, (AfCFTA), comes into full effect.
He stated, amongst others, that, Just last month, at the Intra-Africa Trade fair in Durban, I reminded business leaders that most of Africas challenges, whether security, economic or corruption, can be traced to our inability to domesticate the production of our most basic requirements and provide jobs to our teeming and dynamic youth population.
“I am pleased that this Forum focuses on Unveiling Trade and Investment Opportunities in Nigeria”, and will encourage you all to keep an open mind and look beyond the challenges.
“In this room, we have Governors, Ministers and Heads of Government Agencies that can address all your questions and concerns. We are here to support you and I hope you will all take this opportunity to move your investment decisions forward”.
The Nigerian leader also used the occasion to express profound gratitude to his hosts, Sheikh Khalifa bin-Zayed-bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the President of the UAE and the?Emir of Abu Dhabi, for their unwavering commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations between both countries through various initiatives, partnerships and support.
