readiness of his administration to continue with major privatisation
programme started by previous governments but with "improved moral
architecture."
The President gave the assurance on Tuesday at a business forum
organised by the United States Chamber of Commerce and The Corporate
Council on Africa, in continuation of his four-day official visit to
the US.
He called on US investors to take advantage of the nation's liberal
trade and investment climate by investing in the various profitable
businesses available in Nigeria.
According to him, his government's intention was to continue to create
enabling environment for future investments to thrive in the country.
He said: "It is my intention to create the necessary environment for
future investment in Nigeria.
"We are the most populous nation with largest market in Africa with
vast human and natural resources and blessed with abundant young
skilled workforce.
"We are therefore a proud candidate to become the destination of
choice for United States investments in Africa. I will work
assiduously to welcome new investors to our country.
"I will like to remind you all that we are continuing in major
privatisation programmes with sectors ranging from telecommunication,
energy, gas, solid minerals, aviation, health and infrastructural
development, but with improved moral architecture. We will also
simplify visa procedures based on principle of reciprocity.
"May I, therefore, seize this opportunity to formally invite the
American business community to take advantage of our liberal trade and
investment climate to do profitable business in Nigeria"
The President further urged the American business community to take
advantage of the excellent political relationship between the two
nations to expand trade and investment activities, including joint
venture projects in priority sectors of the Nigerian economy, adding
that the private sector must assume increasing role as part of the
engine of growth.
According to Buhari, his government would specifically welcome genuine
investors who were willing to embark on solid mineral exploration in
Nigeria.
He also pledged that his administration would fulfill its key campaign
promises which included creation of employment opportunities for
millions of Nigerian youths.
He added: "Employment generation was one of my key campaign promises.
I will do my best to keep this promise.
"There is no other way to expand economic opportunities and create
employment opportunities for millions of our youths than boosting
domestic manufacturing, undertaking infrastructural development and
industrialisation.
"Let me repeat, Nigeria will partner with genuine investors who are
willing to join us to achieve our economic objective and at the same
time realise handsome returns to recoup their investments.
"There is more to Nigeria than oil. This is why I will continue to
stress the need for increased United States investments in our non-oil
sector.
"In this respect, the present adminnistration will be attentive to the
needs of the business community and pursue policies that will
strengthen the sectors that drive the growth.''
--DailyPost
No comments:
Post a Comment