Nigerian Government woos foreign investors, assures enabling environment

By Harrison Arubu

The Federal Government has reassured foreign investors that the country is good, open and secure for business.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, gave the assurance at the Labour and Trade Ministerial Roundtable of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) held in the U.S.

A statement signed by Samuel Olowokere, Deputy Director (Press), Ministry of Labour and Employment, said the forum was hosted by U.S. State Department in Washington.

The statement was issued to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

It said the minister intimated the forum of “concrete steps’’ being taken by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to diversify Nigeria’s economy and restore sustained growth.

It quoted Ngige as saying that the Federal Government is determined to create enabling business environment for investors and cited the “significant gains’’ made in anti-corruption and counter-insurgency.

`President Buhari has taken the initiative to create enabling environment for businesses to grow and attract investments that are essential for growth, expand our manufacturing base and diversify the economy.

“Perceived constraints on businesses and investments are being removed so that both can thrive,’’ the statement quoted Ngige as saying.

The minister explained that the Federal Government had initiated the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, while the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat was is in the works to attract foreign investments.

The statement said that Ngige solicited the continued support of Nigeria’s partners and friends such as the U.S., in the face of the country’s current economic situation.

(NAN)