FG begs Japanese companies to relocate back to Nigeria
https://gistzzone.blogspot.com/2017/02/fg-begs-japanese-companies-to-relocate.html
Minister
of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige on Thursday appealed to the
Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Sadanobu Kusaoke to woo Japanese
companies that left Nigeria for Ghana and other African countries back.
Ngige who gave
the charge during an interactive session with the Japanese Ambassador in
Abuja, argued that the factors that drove them out of Nigeria have
tremendously eased.
“Investment
climate in Nigeria has improved with firm measures already taken by this
administration to shore up power supply, effectively tackle corruption
and improve the safety of lives and property.
“These are some
of the factors that drove these factories, but that the iron cast
resolve of the Federal Government in putting them behind us is not in
doubt.
“The era where
foreign investors lose their investments to fraudsters is over as
government has ensured adequate protection for their investments and
profits.
“So, we want you
to invite Japanese companies who were here to not only come back but
also invite others to invest in fertile opportunities offered in our
agriculture, mining and manufacturing sectors.
“Look at the
potentials in our huge rubber belt across Nigeria for example. Michelin
was here but relocated to a neighboring country but the opportunities
for brighter business prospects is still better in Nigeria. These
companies will surely do better here under the environment we are
creating,” the statement issued by Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director
(Press) stated.
Ngige said
Nigeria would learn from the resilience of the Japanese to overcome the
present economic challenges, urging Japan to fully tap into the improved
investment climate in Nigeria.
He added that Nigeria under the present administration has
looked inwards to regain lost opportunities hence, its emphasis on
agriculture and mining, calling for Japanese investments and the
training of extension workers in this area.
The Minister also urged the ambassador to increase the
number of Nigerians billed for participation in the yearly training
programme from 50 to a thousand so as to have a meaningful impact on a
large population like Nigeria.
While regretting the trade imbalance between the two
countries, he pleaded with Japan to close the gap by enabling skilled
Nigerians live and work in their country under the International Labour
Migration policy of the International Labour Organisation.
Speaking earlier, Sadanobu Kusaoke pledged that Japan will
play a more active role in Nigeria’s economic diversification programme
through the expansion of its businesses into agriculture and mining. He
also commended the anti-terrorism and anti-corruption efforts of the
present administration as well as its determination to protect foreign
investors.
“We are very
hopeful that government policy is going to do well in three important
areas of anti-terrorism, anti-corruption and economic diversification.
But I believe economic diversification is the area where the Japanese
are most useful. We have a lot of contributions to make to the
diversification of the economy,” said the Japanese Ambassador.
The Ambassador
tied the job creation efforts of the Federal Government to Nigeria’s
ability to expand existing businesses while creating opportunities for
new ones, saying that his country would encourage more Japanese to
invest in Nigeria.
“I think first
of all, we want to encourage Japanese business through investment here.
We want to expand our existing business in Nigeria and such expansion is
the most important factor to improve the labour or employment
situation.
“In the last one year, there are four instances of Japanese
companies that have opened businesses in Nigeria in auto-motorcycle,
beverage and chemical manufacturing. Some are in joint partnership with
Nigerians. We want to bring in more,” Kusaoke said.
He said these
businesses apart from creating employment would assist in transfer of
skills to Nigerian employees. He further extended invitation to fifty
Nigerians to a yearly training programme in various skills in Japan
taking off August 2017.
“The programme
is intended for African youths to study at Japanese Universities or
colleges, with internship in Japanese companies. We have already sent
invitation for fifty Nigerian men and women. The programme will ease
international job migration,” he concluded.