French Counsellor Assures Nigeria Of Improved Relations

The Commercial Counsellor of the French Embassy, Mr. Luc Boyer has assured Nigeria and Rivers State in particular, of his commitment to improve bilateral relations between the two countries.

He has therefore suggested a visit by Nigerian businessmen to Consortium of French equipment companies – GEP, in France, with a view to benefitting from their advanced technology and business practices.

Mr. Boyer stated this Monday in Port Harcourt when he paid a visit to the President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Engr. Emeka at the Isaac Boro Park, venue of the on-going 8th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair.

The visit by Nigerian businessmen to the GEP President in France, Boyer said, it would help ease the apparent reluctance of the GEP Consortium to move their firms to Nigeria as they were disposed to selling directly to Nigerians instead of investing, as the Nigerians government requires.

The French Commercial Counsellor said he was in Port Harcourt to familiarize with the people as duty demands, since he was just newly posted to Nigeria.

Boyer said he would at a later time meet with Rivers State government officials to identify areas of co-operation.

He commended the state, which he said, hosts many of the companies and its infrastructural development including the Port Harcourt International Airport.

Boyer also lauded the PHCCIMA President for organizing the on-going trade fair during the impending Christmas saying it was like a “Christmas Market”.

Addressing the media after the French Counsellor’s visit, PHCCIMA President, Engr. Emeka Unachukwu said the Chamber has a long standing relationship with France and had immensely benefitted from exchange visits with that country in the past five years.

The benefits, he said, span the areas of oil/gas, ICT and electronic equipment.

He however berated the telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria whom he said, make huge profits but have failed to identify with PHCCIMA, especially in the on-going Trade Fair.