The Nigerian government has urged France to invest more in the country, especially in the area of agro-allied Industries, mining sector, information technology, transportation, energy among others.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo made this known during a working visit of the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Jarome Pasquier in Abuja.
He noted that Nigeria has been one of France’s largest trading partners in Sub-Saharan Africa and ranked among the top ten (10) Nigeria’s export destinations.
“I commend French companies operating in Nigeria which has culminated into massive inflow of Foreign Direct Investment into the country. This has contributed immensely in providing job opportunities to Nigerian Youth” he said.
Mr Adebayo also revealed that the present Administration is doing a lot in the area of Ease of Doing Business as well as improving in World Bank rankings.
According to him, “government is creating a lot of Industrial Parks which France and other countries can further leverage on to improve economic ties with Nigeria.”
The Minister stressed that Nigeria has a very conducive investment climate which makes it one of the leading countries that offer good opportunities and safety to foreign investors.
Key trading partner
The France Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Jarome Pasquier stated that Nigeria is one of the key trading partners to France and as such cannot afford not to further strengthen the business bilateral relationship between the two countries.
He said France is determined to woo more investors to Nigeria in order to take advantage of Nigeria’s economic diversification process and other infrastructural development such as; development of Free Trade Zones, Agro-Industries, livestock, ranching activities, tropical agriculture, geographic information with aim of Nigeria’s products getting international recognition.
Emmanuel Ukoh
