By Chibuzor Emejor – Abuja
A leading firm in China, New Hope Liuhe Company Limited, has expressed its willingness to invest in the development of Nigeria’s agribusiness to boost the nation’s economy.
The management of the company led by its Vice President, Dang ZhiMin dropped this hint when they had a business meeting with the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission[NIPC], Uju Hassan-Baba, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
ZhiMin, who said they were in Nigeria for the first time on a business tour, promised to invest in other sectors such as manufacturing, processing and selling of animal feeds, raw material additives, dairy products, among others.
He revealed that the company’s annual turn-over is $15billion,assuring that the company would invest in selected areas of interest, a situation which he noted would boost Nigeria’s economy and reduce unemployment rate in the country.
He added that the company, formerly known as Sichuan New Hope Agribusiness Company, is founded in 1998, with over 90, 000 staff strength.
In his remarks, General Manager, Investment and Development Department of the company, Zhao Xin, said the company occupies number one position in agribusiness in China.
Xin said the company, in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Foundation, was ready to invest in Nigeria, describing Nigeria as the biggest market in West Africa in particular and the Continent in general.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
He, therefore sought the government’s assistance to realise their dreams.
Responding, the NIPC Executive Secretary assured the Chinese investors of government support and conducive environment to enable them invest in Nigeria.
Hassan-Baba said part of the Commission’s mandate was to encourage, promote and co-ordinate investments in the nation’s economy.
“Those who are investing in the agricultural sector in Nigeria, especially a company like yours, is assured of abundant resources and huge fortunes, she said.
She said that potentials available in Nigeria included ready-made market for products, with no fewer than 170 million consumers in the country, and additional population in West Africa.
(Daily independent)