…Minister: Urges Nigeria’s finance/professional sectors to take advantage of partnership window
…Excitement as UK-Turkish construction firm opens services at Abuja Industrial Park
By Dele Ogbodo
Nigeria and United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday stepped up their bilateral and multilateral relations as both countries signed an Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) to further boost trade and investment and to unlock new opportunities for both countries.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite and the Business and Trade Secretary for UK, OluKemi Badenoch, signed the ETIP for both countries in Abuja.
The ETIP deal is the first UK has signed with an African country which is primarily designed to grow Nigeria and UK already thriving trading relationship, which totaled 7 billion pounds in September 2023.
In a statement made available to the media, Mr. Henry David, quoted the Minister as saying in her remark: “This is an opportunity to leverage UK and International investment from the city of London, which is home to the top financials and professional services.
“This partnership will see Nigeria – UK relations move beyond one of shared history and strong ties to one of shared economic prosperity, from increasing market access and supporting our vibrant businesses, to creating more jobs and accelerate greater investments in sectors of mutual interests.”
The Business and Trade Secretary for UK, shortly after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) held a grounding ceremony at Abuja’s first Industrial Park built by UK-Turkish construction firm Zeberced Ltd to open its support services areas at the site.
The $144 million industrial park is set to create 620 direct and 1,650 indirect jobs and will provide a leeway for major firms to access Central and Northern Nigeria.
Earlier at the signing of the MoU, Kemi said “The UK and Nigeria are vital partners, with longstanding historical and economics ties, adding that “UK businesses are already seeing huge success in Nigeria – one of the fastest growing economies in the world”
The representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director of Investment with the Ministry, Amb. Bolaji Akinremi, said “Nigeria and United kingdom have come a very long way, adding that the two countries have a special bond before the creation of Nigeria.”
He acknowledged that there is no doubt that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of economic trade and investment, partnership will blossom our existing trade and investment relationship between our two countries.
He said: “Beyond this signing, necessary action will follow the signing and we are gladdened by the amount of work that was put into this agreement by both sides and this is going to trickle down to our people through your signature today.
“It is not only in trade that Nigeria and UK have this strong bond, we have a very strong bond in migration partnership”
While presenting his votes of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment Amb. Nura Rimi, said: “I will like to express our deep appreciation to our transformational Minister for your leadership, commitment and tireless effort in fostering this relation and making the foundation for a strengthened economic relationship with our two countries.
“Your dedication to principle of corporation and mutual benefit will undoubtedly pave way for increased trade and investment opportunities.
“The collaborative effort of the negotiating team on both sides who have worked diligently to ensure this MoU, your expertise and resilient and dedication have been instrumental in initiating this agreement to promote economic growth, job creation and prosperity for our citizens.
He said: “Let us be mindful of the responsibility and opportunities that come with it, together we can build a robust sustainable economic relationship that will not only benefit our nations but also contribute to global economic landscape. May this instrument mark the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Nigeria –UK relations and boundless opportunities for growth.”
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery in his remarks said: “I want to congratulate all the officials that worked hard to ensure this MoU comes to reality, this MoU covers 14 areas and sectors of economy, we don’t have to talk the talk alone, we have to walk the talk, the MoU is a fantastic platform for both governments to work together in the area of trade and investment.”
According to him, the ultimate aim of doing this is to create jobs and wealth on both sides and this is what we want to do through this trade and investment purposes.
He said “We have partnership with Ministry of Defence too because, there cannot be prosperity without security and we are very delighted that we have opened relationship in the Defence.”
