In its effort to turn the economy around, the Federal Government has further reassured foreign investors of a conducive business environment and an improved ease of doing business in Nigeria. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma made this statement today, while receiving the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sadanobu Jusaoke, with his team on a courtesy visit in his office.
The Minister enumerated some of the areas the Federal Government expects collaboration with foreigner investors, especially the Japanese government to include; refinery, power, railways and expansion of export processing zones, while reassuring that government is doing everything within its power to ensure that the security issues are being solved.
Responding, the Japanese Ambassador expressed the willingness of Japanese government to increase its business stakes in Nigeria, but urged that the Nigerian government must show total commitment by providing enabling environment for such business transaction.
He stressed the need for infrastructure development such as power, roads, railways and communication. Other factors he identified for effective foreign investment are stabilized exchange rate, transparency in taxation, improved customs transaction, issues on export promotion, good government policies, amongst others.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Nana Fatima Mede thanked the Japanese government for all the assistance Nigeria has so far received from it and solicits for more support. “Thank you for your support so far, but we are asking for more”, she said.
Salisu B. Haiba
Assistant Director (Press)
