PLAYING host to a 45-member trade delegation from the United States at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, President Goodluck Jonathan communicated a strong argument for Nigeria as the investors’ best bet, especially at a time when the government is working to liberalize business opportunities for investors.
Led by Steve Hayes and Mimi Alemayehou, who are the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Council for Africa and the Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, respectively, the team was in Nigeria on the invitation of the Nigerian government to consider investment opportunities in the country.
The president told the delegation that Nigeria had one of the most liberal legal regimes for the movement of capital and profits, adding “we welcome your interest and commitment to Nigeria’’.
“You are coming at a time when sectors previously dominated by government monopolies are being opened up to the private sector.
“We fully believe that that is the best way forward and the best way to create greater efficiency, employment and economic prosperity. You all know Nigeria’s potential.
“With its very huge market and the conducive investment climate we are working hard to foster, it is a country where your companies can do very fruitful business.
“I assure you of the full encouragement and support of the Federal Government for your investments.’’
Speaking against the backdrop of security situation faced by his government in recent weeks, President Jonathan also said that the administration was working very hard to overcome the country’s current security challenges.
He said that efforts were being made to curb terrorism and other criminal acts such as kidnapping and hostage-taking.
In an interview with State House correspondents, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terrence McCulley, said Nigeria needed to diversify its economy away from oil and gas.
He said that the delegation was looking at expanding U.S. presence in the manufacturing and agro-allied, entertainment and ICT sectors.
“The energy delegation came last year, we are hoping to follow-up later this year with a delegation in the health sector.
“I think there are enormous opportunities in this very important market,’’ McCulley said.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Mr Ade Adefuye, who is the chief facilitator of the visit, said the delegation was a follow-up to the investors’ forum held in Washington.
He said there were representatives of 17 U.S. high tech companies in the delegation and that the emphasis would be on the non-oil sectors.