Nigeria Seeks Expansion of Bilateral Relations With UAE

President Goodluck Jonathan, Friday, in Abuja called for an expansion of bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, UAE, saying that Nigeria would welcome greater direct investment from that country for the development of its power, agricultural, oil and gas, communications and solid minerals sectors.

Speaking to an audience with the UAE’s Minister of Energy, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Mr. Jonathan said that he looked forward to the early conclusion of agreements for the protection of investments and avoidance of double taxation between the UAE and Nigeria, which were expected to boost the inflow of investments from the emirates to Nigeria.
Mr. Mazrouei was at the Presidential Villa as a Special Envoy of Mohammed Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE.
“The United Arab Emirates and Dubai are becoming increasingly important to us, the president said. A large number of Nigerians now visit Dubai on a daily basis. Assure your leadership that we are keen on developing and expanding areas of cooperation between us,” Mr. Jonathan said.
He seized the opportunity of the minister’s visit to restate his call for greater international cooperation against the scourge of terrorism.
He said, “We must all cooperate to fight terrorism because no part of the world can be truly safe as long as terrorists remain among us. In parts of our country, terrorism is obstructing socio-economic development and increasing poverty. We need cooperation and collaboration from our friends globally to successfully overcome it.”
He assured him of Nigeria’s support for Dubai’s bid to host the 2020 World Expo, saying he believed the emirate had developed the capacity to successfully host the event.
Mr. Mazrouei conveyed greetings from the UAE to Mr. Jonathan, and congratulated him, on the UAE’s country’s behalf, on Nigeria’s recent celebration of its 53rd independence anniversary.
He assured Mr. Jonathan that the Emirates would like to boost their relationship with Nigeria through major investments in the country.
“The conclusion of the treaties we are working on will encourage our private sector to engage more in Nigeria,” he said.
He also briefed Mr. Jonathan on Dubai’s bid to host the 2020 World Expo under the theme, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.
Source: Premium Times
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