Nigeria’s Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo has called for increased synergy between the Nigerian and Brazilian business community to engender growth and economic development in the two countries.
The Vice President made this call at the 4th Nigeria-Brazil Business and Investment Forum (NBBIF) which held at the Copacabana Palace Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as part of the activities of the Nigeria-Brazil Bi-National Commission Meeting.
Namadi Sambo who noted the long standing relations between the two countries indicated that the Nigerian business community is desirous of collaborating with their Brazilian counterparts for the mutual benefits of both countries, particularly regarding the partnership between Dangote Group and the Brazilian Construction Company.
According to the Vice President, the Nigerian business community is seeking for partnership and collaborative ties with their Brazilian counterparts to foster greater cohesion among private entrepreneurs and engender growth and economic development in the countries.
While expressing optimism that new business partnerships would evolve from the forum, especially with the large turnout at the event, he enjoined participants to advance valuable recommendations which will improve bilateral economic cooperation in both countries. He also urged them to put forward concrete suggestions that would impact positively on the business modalities and inclusiveness of all stakeholders.
He informed the meeting about the flourishing investment and business climate in Nigeria; saying the country is a sea of opportunities. He enumerated several inroads which the present administration through its Transformation Agenda has made in repositioning the Nigerian economy and making doing business in the country easy. “Now is the time. It is my wish that the Brazilian Businessmen will take bold steps to explore the Nigerian market with a view to actively participating in it,” he indicated.
Speaking earlier, the Director of the Brazilian Pavilion, Pedro Wendler expressed great expectations from the initiative which led to the creation of the Working Groups for Trade and Investment between Nigeria and Brazil. He said that the Brazilian Government is happy with the progress made in the partnership between Andrede Guteres (AG), a Brazilian company and Dangote Group Plc, in the areas of sanitation, transportation and public concessions.
He also expressed the willingness of the Agricultural Development Agency to facilitate the production of rice in Nigeria as well as readiness to partner with Nigeria in the areas of technical cooperation and investment. Adding, Brazilians are happy for Nigeria’s qualification to the World Cup in view of the cultural, sports and cordial relations existing between them.
Other speakers at the event were the Director-General of the Nigerian Investment and Promotion Council, Mustapha Bello, who gave an overview of the investment climate in Nigeria; the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Samuel Ortom and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil.
Present at the opening session were the Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, Babayo Gamawa and Awesu Kuta (Senators); the Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo and other top government functionaries.
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