Envoy Tasks Europe On Investment In Nigeria

The Nigerian Ambassa dor to Sweden, Mr Benedict Amobi, has urged countries in Europe to take advantage of the huge investment opportunities in Nigeria and invest in the country.

Amobi told the International Women Conference in Tampere, Finland last Friday that Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and other mineral resources were yet to be fully exploited.

The envoy, who covers the Nordic countries of Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway said Nigeria was the next frontier of economic growth.

He then urged companies already operating in Nigeria to expand their businesses, saying less than 30 per cent of Nigeria’s farmlands were being utilised.

According to him, with the growth rate of about seven per cent, Nigeria offers stable political environment.

“The government has also created a favourable climate for business and industrial ventures.

“The country has a dynamic private sector, which has assumed greater responsibilities under the new economic environment.

“There is fast development of physical and industrial infrastructure in such areas as transportation, communications, electricity and water supply.

“In recent times, focus is being directed to non-oil exports and agriculture,’’ Amobi said.

The envoy, however, advocated for a more business-friendly environment in Nigeria in order to attract more investment to the country.

He stressed the need to add value to the country’s products meant for exports in order to expand the markets for the product.

Amobi commended the Empowerment of Africa Women for organising the conference and noted that the conference was an opportunity to change the negative perceptions of Africa.

According to him, many people believed that Africa is made up of a single region.

“This is not true, because Africa is made up of 54 countries with about one billion people,’’ he said.

The envoy commended the Nigerian women who attended the conference and expressed the hope that the conference would serve as a source of inspiration and empowerment.

“In Nigeria, we believe in gender balance, because presently we have 13 women in ministerial positions.

“The women are not just occupying positions, they are occupying important positions because the nation recognises the importance of women in national development,” he said.