President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the business community in Qatar
that Nigeria would remove any impediment that can hinder investment in the
country.
Speaking at a meeting with senior executives of Qatar Chamber of Commerce
and some private businessmen in Doha on Sunday, the President said
security is essential to prosperity and development.
“Nobody invests without first knowing how secure a country is. That is
why we have placed high premium on securing the country, because you
cannot effectively manage a country you have not secured.
“My party campaigned on three main planks: security, employment
generation and anti-corruption.
“We campaigned on zero corruption, promising that we would run an
accountable government and we are keeping our promises.”
Referring to the crash in the international crude oil prices and its
effect on the Nigerian economy, President Buhari informed his hosts that
Nigeria is blessed with vast arable land for agriculture, and rich deposit
of solid minerals, which the businessmen can invest in, and reap rich
returns in a short while.
“Agriculture and solid minerals will mobilize youths for gainful
employment. We have the capacity not to need to import food at all.
“But we need to also tackle infrastructure deficit in power,
transportation, rail, road, and in other areas. We will put together an
articulated plan, which would be discussed with you shortly, so that you
can make investment decisions.
“All impediments like delayed processing of permits, multiple taxation,
and corrupt practices, would be removed,’’ the President said.
Speaking on behalf of the Qatari businessmen, Muhammed Bin Ahmed Bin Towar
Al Kuwari, Vice Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry said
they would be interested in the finance, oil and gas, telecommunications,
tourism, agriculture and food processing sectors, among others.
“All eyes are on Africa in the next decade. Africa is the next place for
growth, the rest of the world is looking towards the continent, and
Nigeria is an important part of that continent,” he said.