Imported User:
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Professor Adebowale Adefuye, President of the Continental Africa Chamber of Commerce in the US, Mr. Ganiyu Dada with many others have urged foreign investors to invest in Non-oil Sectors in Nigeria.
In his remarks during the ongoing 7th US- Africa Trade & Investment Forum, Conference and Exhibition organized by the Continental Africa Chamber of Commerce in Chicago on Wednesday, Governor Ajimobi said that there were opportunities for improvement in Nigeria’s economic relations if the foreign companies that operate privately could partner with Nigerian private sector, particularly in the area of agriculture, power generation, transmission and distribution.
He further said that such partnership would improve the transportation and agricultural sectors and added that it would also fast-track the Government’s transformation objectives of making agriculture a serious business.
Speaking on the advantages of the Export-Import Bank’s special initiatives for Nigeria, Governor Ajimobi noted that positive changes would be brought to small businesses, adding that such privilege would create employments for the country’s teaming youths.
“When there is gainful employments in the Nigeria, crime rate will reduce to minima and this will further guarantee the safety and security of foreign investors that are coming to do their businesses in Nigeria” he said.
Also, in his remarks, the Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Professor Adebowale Adefuye, said that there are many other Sectors in Nigeria that could attract foreign investors apart from the Oil Sector.
Saying that the federal government was doing everything to develop other Sectors to make them more attractive to investors, the Envoy disclosed that the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan was hinged on broadening the base of the Nigeria’s economy by using the proceeds from oil to invest in non-oil exports, such as agriculture.
He also said that the Goodluck Jonathan-led government had it in plans to tackle the problem of lack of infrastructure the same it was tackling the problems facing the energy and agricultural sectors.
On security, Ambassador Adefuye assure foreign investors that the federal government was putting up all possible efforts to ensure that terror groups are totally eradicated from the country.
Ho noted that the security challenges in Nigeria does not make the country unsafe for investors, stressing that the government would make their safety its priority.
The Executive President of the Continental Africa Chamber of Commerce in the United States, Mr. Ganiyu Dada said in his own remarks that foreign investors should look beyond Oil Sector, saying that the ongoing Investment Forum would be used to showcase several business opportunities in Nigeria.
He continued that the Forum would be used to provide a platform for the presentation to American Corporate and Public Policy makers on the wide array of investment opportunities in Nigeria and the African Continent, stressing that there would also be provision for a platform for the discussion of ways in which these opportunities can be realized.
Mr. Ganiyu Dada also said that participants would be allowed to meet their strategic interests by providing networking opportunities and avenue for the development of bilateral investment possibilities.
He pressed further that the Forum would also be used to allow American Companies to exhibit their products and services and African businesses to exhibit their products under AGOA.
The Forum will include the following sectors, African Agricultural Production and Processing, African Infrastructural Finance, Job Creation Programs, Oil / Gas, Power / Energy, Alternative Financing Mechanisms, ICT / Telecommunication, Water Distribution. Housing, SME Development. Marine / Port Development, Tourism / Hospitality, Environment, Solid Minerals, Mining, Aviation / Transport, Foundation / Private Sector. African Women Empowerment Program and Education.
