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Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje signs the intent of friendship agreement between his state and Fujian Province.
By Anthony Maliki
Personalities, business men and women, stakeholders and top politicians at the China-Nigeria Business Dialogue which held on Tuesday have agreed there should be an improved and robust economy relationship between both countries.
The Nigerian side converged at China Embassy in Abuja while the Chinese delegation reached through video conference from Beijing and Fujian Province.
Those who spoke on the Nigeria side were the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo among others.
On the Chinese side are H.E. Shen Beili, Vice Minister of the International Department of CPC Central Committee, H.E. Guo Ningning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee and Executive Governor, Zhou Guohui, Deputy Director, Fourth Bureau of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Huang Nanen, Deputy Director of Commerce, Department of Fujian Province and Luo Guansheng, Executive Vice President, Fujian People’s Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries among others.
The theme of the Dialogue was “Seeking common cooperation and development through inter-party exchanges” and organized by China Exchange Cooperation Centre of IDCPC, Foreign Affairs office of Fujian Province, Kano State government, All Progressives Congress and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
APC National Secretary, Senator Omisore noted that bilateral relationship between China and Nigeria which started since 1971 has since expanded in many ways.
He said China considered Nigeria has her closest ally with trade figure reaching $19.74billion in 2019 noting that in 2011 Nigeria was China’s 4th trading partner and became 3rd in 2012.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun speaks to newsmen
On his part, Governor Ganduje of Kano State unveiled some economic potentials of the state pointing out that investment opportunities included agriculture, industries, healthcare, tourism, mining and education among others.
He said Kano has about 20 earth dams for dry season farming, are major producers of Hides and Skin in Nigeria with major international markets.
Governor Ganduje stressed that the Kano is committed to the Chinese relationship with the need for the role of the government and party to make it a success.
Minister Adebayo said encouraged the Chinese side to take advantage of the economic incentives provided by the Nigerian government to invest in the country.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun hoped that Nigeria and China can work together to see the big difference.
He said political party is important in the economy as they are the drivers of business policies.
In an interview with journalists later, the Chinese envoy said such friendly initiative would be replicated across other states.
The National Vice President, Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief Hezekiah Adedeji called for the establishment of the Chinese industries in Nigeria instead of importing goods that can be manufactured in Nigeria.
He said by this, Nigeria can benefit from employment and technical know-how from such venture and a win-win situation can be achieved.
Engineer Segun Bolaji, Deputy National Coordinator, NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs called on the Chinese government to evolve capacity-building and training for Nigerian business people.
Highlight of the Dialogue was the signing of the letter of intent for the Establishment of Friendship Relationship between Kano State, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Fujian Province and the People’s Republic of China.
Also, there was business networking session and video on Chinese Harmony Perform Nigeria-China Symphony.
There were 78 participants from Nigeria side and 37 on the Chinese side.
