NAN-HE-21
Business
By Funmilayo Adeyemi
Abuja, Sept. 20 , 2016(NAN) Mrs Regine Hess, the Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to improve on the investment climate so that German companies could operate effectively in the country.
Hess made the call when she received in audience a delegation from `Salute Nigeria Initiative’ (SNI), an NGO, in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation was led by the organisation’s Coordinator, Mr Chielo Ojirika.
The deputy ambassador acknowledged that the economic potential in Nigeria was great.
She, however, urged the government to take urgent action to improve the general operating environment.
“In general, though the potential is enormous, the framework is hampering German companies to operate.
“Take for example, Lufthansa airline has reduced operation due to the economic circumstances.
“Therefore, a good working environment must be put in place.
“Challenges of security, kidnapping in the South is also hindering development and this must be looked into critically.’’
Hess said that the Government of Germany would help Nigeria to overcome these challenges.
She also pledged to work for a better working relationship between the two countries to strengthen the economy of Nigeria.
Earlier, the coordinator said that it was necessary for the Government of Germany to tap into the potential in Nigerian youths to further enhance the relationship between the two countries.
“Germany’s economy revolves around SMEs. We are requesting for your support in unlocking the potential of SMEs to Nigeria youths through exchange programmes and vocational training.
“Germany and Nigeria are also major football nations. We are calling on the Government of Germany to have football institute in Nigeria where talents will be discovered and exported to other parts of the world.”
Ojirika also advised the German government to take advantage of developments in agro-allied industries as it would also strengthen bilateral relationships between the two countries.
“Nigeria has a large and rapidly expanding market given the present population of about 180 million.
“As a result, the raw material base for agro-allied industries has widened tremendously and with the current diversification, the economy is projected to grow.
“Germany can take advantage of this favourable development in the areas of storage, irrigation, preservation, processing and packaging,’’ he said.
Ojirika said that with the efforts of the governments of the two countries in the area of crime prevention, technology transfer and training, potential would be unlocked to achieve greatness.
He said that the organisation was borne out of the need to change the mindset of Nigerians towards international organisations.
Ojirika said that changing the mindset of Nigerians culminated into designing a project tagged: “Change the Mindset Empowerment for a Productive Nation”.
He said the project was aimed at unlocking potential and realising greatness in the youths.
NAN reports that SNI is pursuing the mandate of discovering and empowering talents, skill acquisition and development in the area of Information and Communication Technology.
It has also ventured into empowering youths in agriculture, music, films and sports.
NAN also reports that the project would be officially launched on Oct. 28 and 29 in Abuja. (NAN)
FAK/DO/NKO
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Edited by David Onilede
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