Canadian Minister, 30 Firms On Trade Mission To Nigeria

As part of efforts to deepen trade and investment ties with
Nigeria, the Canadian Minister of Trade, Mr Ed Fast will lead a four-day trade
mission to the country on January 28.

The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Chris Cooter,
who stated this on Wednesday at a press briefing in Abuja, said that Fast would
be accompanied by some officials from 30 Canadian companies.

He said that the mission would also include an education
fair with 47 Canadian colleges and universities exhibiting.

The envoy, who described the trade mission as unprecedented
said it underscored the importance Canada accorded Nigeria.

Cooter said that trade between the two countries had doubled
in the last couple of years to $2.7 billion
in 2011 in favour of Nigeria, adding that solid growth was expected this
year.

He said that the trade mission would also establish the
framework for a Bi-National Commission between the two countries.

“ We are going to take a multi-level approach economically,
including trade and also very expectant of the outcome.

“We will have an idea of developing security cooperation in
a number of fields in the next six months,’’ Cooter said.

He said that  members
of the mission would also meet with Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade and
Investment, state governors and business community in Lagos State.

Canada and Nigeria established diplomatic relations 50 years
ago, and share a common commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and the
rule of law.