Two business conglomerates from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have formed a partnership to establish indigenous eateries in order to enhance cultural exchange and diplomatic ties.
The Chairman, Eatrite Food Services West Africa, Mr. Isa Inuwa said Nigeria hopes to strengthen business and diplomatic relationship with Saudi Arabia through the establishment of Eat Rite Restaurants across Nigeria.
Speaking at the grand opening of one of the restaurants in Abuja, the chairman said that the combined effort will create wealth and empower Nigerians.
He said that Nigeria was getting investments, expertise, and training from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“When you have two countries cooperating, investing in each other, selling goods or services one way or two ways, what you are actually doing is you are enhancing their diplomatic connections as it were and bringing the people together. And of course exchanging culture. Part of the food that we will be selling here are of Saudi origin. That is the foundation. We are bringing economic interests together, we are bringing people together and we are exchanging cultures,” Mr. Inuwa said.
He also said that customers are to get value in a clean and conducive environment.
He also noted that Eat Rite West Africa has plans to open additional 50 restaurants across Nigeria in no distant time.
“Don’t just look at the number of the restaurants, look at what would happen if you open one restaurant, think also about the associated benefits and associated activities that will come into being just because you opened a single restaurant,” he said.
The Franchise Director of Herfy – Saudi Arabia’s biggest restaurant chain, Mr. Muhammed Ali San, said that Nigeria has the potential, especially with it’s population, to make any business to succeed.
” We are doing business through franchise and we are keeping the high quality of products. Nigeria is one of the largest countries and your population is more than two hundred million. So, definitely this country needs more concepts and more brands to come in. So, this is a good opportunity for us to be here before the other international brands come,” he said.
The grand opening had the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, diplomats and top Nigerian officials in attendance.
