President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Beijing appealed to Chinese investors to consider siting industries in Nigeria instead of seeing the country as a market for dumping goods.
He called on the Nigerian and Chinese business communities to work harder to reduce the trade imbalance between both countries which is currently in China’s favour.
A statement issued from China by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke at the opening of a Nigeria-China Business/Investment Forum.
Buhari said that trade and economic relations between both countries must be mutually-beneficial and conducted with reciprocated respect and trust.
“Although the Nigerian and Chinese business communities have recorded tremendous successes in bilateral trade, there is a large trade imbalance in favour of China as Chinese exports represent some 80 per cent of the total bilateral trade volumes. This gap needs to be reduced.
“Therefore, I would like to challenge the business communities in both countries to work together to reduce the trade imbalance.
“You must also imbibe the spirit of having a mutually beneficial relationship in your business transactions. You must not see Nigeria as a consumer market alone, but as an investment destination where goods can be manufactured and consumed locally,” Buhari told the gathering.
Thisday……
This page has been viewed 260 times
