The
Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has charged foreign investors to
tap in to the opportunities that abound in the African maritime
sector stating that the continent is one of the largest in terms of
cargo contributions to global maritime trade.
Dakuku
who spoke at the Nigerian Business Summit at the sidelines of the
recently concluded Shipbuilding, Machinery Technology (SMM)
Conference which held in Hamburg Germany said that Africa Generates
and receives a lot of cargo and this makes it a market hub of the
present and future.
He
noted that the Nigerian maritime sector is specifically open to
investments adding that the Federal Government of Nigeria under the
leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has put policies in place
that would be beneficial to interested investors.
“It
is known worldwide that Africa is the world’s biggest untapped
market waiting to be unveiled and if you want to tap into the market
of today and the market of the future then Nigeria is your
destination, Nigeria is welcoming you, Nigeria is the investment
destination of today and the future”. He said.
Dr.
Dakuku however stated that any investments from outside the continent
must be mutually beneficial to both parties noting that Africa will
not be shortchanged. He advised foreigners willing to participate in
the biggest maritime industry to propose symbiotic terms that would
ensue sincere trade amongst participants. He added that the continent
is leaning towards China because they offer better understanding of
the African market. He added that Europeans must also come to the
party with genuine interest and opportunities of financing for the
sector which the industry is in dire need of.
“China
appears to be offering Africa favorable terms of engagement in terms
of cost of financing project, in terms of the duration for the
payment of facilities and in terms of ease of transfer of technology,
Europe may offer better technology, Europe may even offer better
managerial capability, but what of the issue of financing, it is up
to Europe to realize that the market of the future is in Africa and
offer mutually beneficial terms not terms that benefit Europe only to
the detriment of Africa. So if you offer us favorable terms of
engagement then Africa is open for business, Nigeria is open for
business”, he emphasized.
Also speaking at the event, the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said that the SMM Hamburg offer a platform for maritime investors across the globe to cross fertilize ideas. He noted that Nigeria particularly is ready for investment adding that the President Mohamed Buhari led administration has remained resolute and determined in providing enabling environment and repositioning of the maritime industry to optimally compete with its counterparts around the world especially with the introduction of policies and programs that have remarkable impacts on the sector thereby making it more attractive for foreign investments.
Also speaking at the event, the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said that the SMM Hamburg offer a platform for maritime investors across the globe to cross fertilize ideas. He noted that Nigeria particularly is ready for investment adding that the President Mohamed Buhari led administration has remained resolute and determined in providing enabling environment and repositioning of the maritime industry to optimally compete with its counterparts around the world especially with the introduction of policies and programs that have remarkable impacts on the sector thereby making it more attractive for foreign investments.
The
SMM, Hamburg is a maritime trade fair organized biannually in Germany
to discuss germane issues of maritime by key players in the industry
worldwide. This year’s summit brought to the fore the impact of
emissions from Ships requesting every maritime nation to seek avenues
of emission reduction.
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