Nigeria, Thailand Explore New Partnerships In Agriculture, Technology, Renewable Energy

Nigeria and Thailand are set to explore broader areas of economic cooperation, with agriculture, technology, renewable energy, trade and investment emerging as key sectors of interest to both countries.

This followed discussions on Wednesday between Vice President Kashim Shettima and a Thai delegation led by the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, H.E. Yousef Hassan Khalawi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The discussions centred on the need to reposition the existing relationship between both countries and create a framework for deeper economic engagement.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Nigeria was seeking a strategic review of its bilateral relationship with Thailand, particularly to benefit from the Asian country’s experience in deploying intermediate technology in agriculture and related sectors.

Representing President Bola Tinubu at the meeting, Shettima said Nigeria’s relationship with Thailand should evolve beyond its traditional areas of engagement.

“I believe that our relationship should go beyond transactions in crude oil, rice production and so on. So, there is a need for us to review our bilateral relationship at a strategic level.

“Nigeria is a large market. There are enormous opportunities for partnership and investment in agriculture, ICT, renewable energy, and solid minerals, and we have a young population and workforce,” the Vice President noted.

The Vice President urged the Thai government and its business community to take advantage of opportunities in Nigeria, citing the country’s large market, youthful population, strategic position in Africa and vast natural resources.

Khalawi, who is on his first visit to Africa, described Nigeria as a strategic partner for Thailand, an influential voice in the Global South and an emerging leader in e-commerce.

He also commended the ongoing transformation in Nigeria under the Tinubu administration.

The Thai Deputy Prime Minister said his country was proposing a Thailand-Africa Initiative as a new framework for strengthening relations with key African countries.

The initiative, according to him, is expected to promote stronger economic and business ties, people-to-people engagement and cooperation in key sectors, particularly agriculture.

The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Dunoma Umar Ahmed; the Ambassador of Thailand to Nigeria, Mr. Thirapath Mongkolnavin; and other senior officials from the foreign affairs ministries of both countries.