By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has called for deeper partnership between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to build sustainable economic growth between both countries.
Shettima made the call while officially declaring open the second edition of the Nigeria-Saudi Diaspora Investment and Tourism Exhibition, themed, “The Misconceptions, Challenges and Opportunities of Investing in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria in Abuja.
Speaking through Aliyu Bunu Sheriff, the Special Adviser on Export Expansion, Office of the Vice President, the Vice President said relations between Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy; and Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s emerging, ambitious and rapidly growing economies, remain narrowly framed, with significant opportunities to deepen economic cooperation.
He highlighted Nigeria’s growing halal financial sectors including- agriculture and livestock, Islamic banking and finance, food production, pharmaceuticals, tourism and other halal-compliant sectors.
Shettima described Nigeria as a viable investment destination, citing ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to improve the ease of doing business for local and foreign investors, while calling on investors to key into the vision.
on his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, acknowledged that the theme is timely as it presents opportunities to bring government, private, and public entities together to discuss and partner to bring tangible resources.
Idris, who was the keynote speaker, said President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is actively prioritising the ease of doing business, human capital development and global competitiveness, while strengthening security across the country at both local and state levels.
The Information Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to partner with Saudi Arabia, urging Nigerians in the country to serve not only as Ambassadors but also as catalysts for investment and national development.
He assured that the Ministry would continue to project Nigeria’s image positively and truthfully to strengthen investor confidence and attract opportunities.
Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, represented by Mrs Patience Fakai, the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, described the theme as timely and relevant to Nigeria and Kaduna state, in particular.
He said the Tinubu administration’s investment drive had encouraged the state to strengthen its own efforts to attract investment, improve security, agriculture and infrastructure, and create a better business environment.
According to him, the effort is yielding results, with the state ranked the second-best state for doing business by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
Sani highlighted opportunities in mining, agriculture and particularly tourism, which contributes only one percent to the GDP of the state.
He urged Saudi investors to explore Kaduna’s largely untapped tourism potentials and other sectors.
This marks day-one of the Nigeria-Saudi Diaspora Investment and Tourism Exhibition, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre.
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