By Ikenna Uwadileke
The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has tasked stakeholders in Nigeria’s investment promotion ecosystem on stronger synergy to increase investments in the country.
The Executive Secretary of NIPC, Hajiya Saratu Umar made the appeal at the NIPC interactive forum with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Umar, stronger synergy in the investment ecosystem will attract more investments and foster rapid economic growth.
While describing MDAs as principal partners in driving investments, Umar expressed NIPC’s commitment to sustain regular engagements with them going forward.
“If the commission is to achieve its purpose, there is the need for effective collaboration with stakeholders for mutually beneficial purposes and accelerated progress in Nigeria’s investment drive,”Umar said.
Describing investment promotion in Nigeria as what required better coordination, Umar said that stakeholders must work together to ensure that the greater synergy would provide a more coordinated traction to avoid loosing investments.
“Ultimately the desired goal is to galvanise a collective action that will firmly place Nigeria on the path of sustainable prosperity.” She said.
She said that the commission is working on a strategy and promotion masterplan that would drive seamless collaboration and coordination of investment ecosystem.
According to her, this will usher in robust stakeholder communication and result in effective partnership.
“The NIPC is mandated to coordinate and promote investments in Nigeria which cannot be done without the input of stakeholders like the MDAs.
“We will still engage investors, banks, the diplomatic community, legal firms, the media among others,” she said.
Speaking on the significance of NIPC, she said that investments were critical in supporting economic growth, creating jobs, and facilitating development in the country.
“Over the past few years, the global Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) market has become competitive and versatile but NIPC is positioned to get a fair share of the global market.
“If we are to assert our dominant position as a player in the region, then we must enhance our investment drive and also build a conducive environment for investors to play in the economy so we don’t lose them to other countries,” she said. (NAN)