By Godfrey AKON
The Federal Government is making efforts to harmonize investment treaty with the Kingdom of Netherlands for the mutual benefits of both countries.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
Dr. Evelyn Ngige stated this at the first round-table negotiation on the investment promotion and protection agreement between the two countries in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ngige noted that the step being taken would also boost economic activities and strengthen the confidence of investors for sustainable economic development, a statement by Director Magdarlyn Terhile –Sende of the ministry’s Press and Public Relations said.
Represented by the Director Investment Promotion Department in the Ministry, Mrs. Gertrude Orji, the permanent secretary said “We believe that continuous collaboration between the two countries will impact positively on our economic.”
Ngige emphasized that beyond signing the agreement, it is also important for both countries to monitor the implementation and execution of the agreement.
On his part, the Chief Negotiator on Investment Promotion of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Robert van den Dool, stated that the major aim of the meeting with Nigerian side was to facilitate economic relations between the two countries.
Dool said his country appreciated the relationship that exists with the Nigerian Government, which he described as one of the pillars of socio-economic development, economic cooperation and integration.
According to him, “This explains why Netherlands has taken the initiative to look at their investment promotion in Nigeria to see how they can make this agreement more reflective in the world we live in today,” he stated.
He added that, this has induced a critical review not only of the bilateral agreement but in general, in a modernized way, acts in promotion and protection of international and social economic development.
He noted that the negotiating team has engaged on the modernization of economic relations of the two countries and promotion of trade which was originally signed in 1992, adding that, between 1992 and 2023, the world has evolved into a different place.