The Heineken Group Chief
Executive Officer, Mr Francois Boxmeer, said the rebasing of the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was a strategic and technical way of repositioning of the nation’s economy.
Boxmeer made the evaluation of the rebasing the nation’s GDP when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja.
He said that the rebasing ahead of the ongoing World Economic Forum, Africa, remained a compelling tonic for international investors attending the gathering.
According to him, new impetus of the new drivers of the Nigerian economy further leverage the attraction of the forum to Western and Asian investors looking for new investment frontiers.
He explained that new data provided by the new GDP on telecommunication, entertainment, agriculture and emerging army of small medium scale businesses in Nigeria open up new opportunities for the players in saturated economies of Asia and Europe.
Boxmeer said the company was not threatened, adding that the rebasing only confirmed its foresight and would assist in consolidating Heineken’s investment plans.
He urged Nigerians, especially the dynamic and skilled youths to re-evaluate the data contained in the new GDP and position themselves for greater economic opportunities.
The chief executive officer welcomed the Federal Government youth empowerment programmes and provision of development infrastructure for the sustenance of the nation as the biggest economy.
On the likely effects of international campaign against alcoholic beverages, Boxmeer said the company had invested heavily on providing people with information.
“Larger beer is contrary to other opinions is healthy for human consumption. What is the issue about alcoholic beverages is the abuse.
“The emphasis of the Heineken global information through our Website is to ensure responsible drinking, moderate consumption of beer.
“Indeed, the campaign people belief will affect our sales, but the issue is on keeping our business with quality information on responsible drinking of beer.”