President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan pledged Tuesday in Abuja that his administration will continue to actively encourage and support the development of more mutually-beneficial trade and economic relations between Nigeria and other developing nations.
Speaking at separate audiences with the new ambassadors of Cuba and Zimbabwe, President Jonathan said that in keeping with its commitment to privatization, trade liberalization and the full diversification of the Nigerian economy, the Federal Government will welcome greater economic ties with Cuba, Zimbabwe and other emerging economies.
“Nigeria is a very vast economy. We are not just about oil. We have a very vibrant business community that has a global presence in both the service and non-service sectors.
“We will encourage these businesses to expand their interests into your economies,’’ the President told Ambassador Carlos Eleterio Trejo Sosa of Cuba and Ambassador Lovemore Mazemo of Zimbabwe, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence to him.
President Jonathan noted that with the full support and encouragement of his administration, Nigerian businesses were already operating successfully in some African and European countries, and making commendable progress in the development of entrepreneurial skills, resource mobilization and global competitiveness.
He wished the new ambassadors successful tenures in Abuja and assured them of the full cooperation of the Federal Government as they work to enhance existing bilateral relations between Nigeria and their countries.
The new ambassadors thanked President Jonathan for receiving them and assured him that they will work hard to boost trade and economic relations between their countries and Nigeria.
