Abuja – Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Shehuri on Tuesday solicited for more Danish companies’ investments in Nigeria’s power and construction sectors.
Shehuri made the appeal when the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kristian Jensen, led an economic delegation to visit him in Abuja.
He noted that Nigeria and Denmark shared decades of cordial economic relationship, with not less than 38 Danish companies operating in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, oil and gas sectors in Nigeria.
The minister reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to create conducive environment for foreign companies to invest in Nigeria for the mutual benefit of participating countries.
“We have been discussing with different investors and our door is open for any investor to come and invest for the mutual benefit of our two countries.
“I want to reaffirm the current administration’s intention to create an attractive environment for the influx of Foreign Direct Investments into the country.
“The President has made it clear that infrastructure will be the primary driver for generating jobs and fast-tracking development in Nigeria.
“It is in the light of the above that I wish to invite more Danish companies to invest in the construction and power infrastructural sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The minister assured that Nigeria was willing and ready to partner with Denmark, as the country would gain enormously from the high level of Danish technological innovations.
He added that Nigeria remained committed to fostering deeper bilateral ties with Denmark by building a solid relationship that would ensure lasting mutual benefits to both parties.
“It is my ardent hope and prayer that this spirit of collective bilateral engagement will be sustained and deepened to engender rapid socio-economic development of our two countries,’’ Shehuri said.
Earlier, the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs and leader of delegation, Mr Kristian Jensen said that he was in Nigeria to formally reopen his country’s embassy in Abuja.
NAN reports that the Danish delegation comprised the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Torben Gettermann and representatives of Danish Energy Solution Companies.
Jensen said that reopening of the Danish embassy in Nigeria was aimed at fostering stronger economic ties between the two countries, especially in the area of power and constructions.
He explained that the Danish Energy Solution Companies were prepared to assist distribution companies to deliver efficient power supply to the people.
“We can work together on how to revitalise some of the areas in the power sector to enable distribution companies deliver efficient service to the people.
“ Today we are opening the embassy with the ambassador here, and we have with us a business delegation of many companies working in the power sector.
“Danish experience in technology can help your country achieve its energy and power goals. We are ready to bring in our expertise to move the sector forward,’’ Jensen said. NAN)