Nigeria Now Haven For International Investments- Jonathan

Nigeria Now Haven For International Investments- Jonathan
Uche Aneke , Turkey

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has given assurance that of safety and profitability of international investments in Nigeria .

He said that his administration had taken appropriate measures to remove all impediments on the path of private sector investments in the country.

President Jonathan stated this while addressing the Nigerian-Turkish Trade and Investment Forum in Istanbul which marked the highpoint of his three-day state visit to Turkey .

He said his government recognizes the role of the private sector as the engine room for fast-tracking Nigeria 's growth and development; hence it has taken proactive steps to improve relevant laws and regulations to make the country investment-friendly.  

Citing the Petroleum Industry Bill currently before the National Assembly among several instances, President Jonathan said the bill was at the verge of being passed into law, in order to facilitate a more conducive atmosphere for investment in that sector.

President Jonathan said the situation in the Niger Delta had improved and that, the Amnesty Programme being pursued by government had brought relative peace in the region, thus ensuring security of investment.

He noted that Nigeria 's Eurobond issue in the international market last week which was not only over-subscribed but also attracted an unprecedented diverse investor base from first class investors across the globe, was a clear indication of the growing confidence of international investors in the Nigerian economy.

President Jonathan said government was however not resting on its oars in the quest to step up infrastructural development in the country as all preparatory work for the establishment of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund has been completed.

While urging Turkish investors to explore the exciting investment prospects in Nigeria , President Jonathan said that major macro economic reforms carried out by government in the last ten years have led to substantial growth of the national economy as well as improved credit rating of BB minus over the last three years by reputable international agencies.

Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey , Cemil Cicek, had earlier described President Jonathan's visit to Turkey for bilateral agreements as historical and significant, saying it would go down in history as a significant step in the relationship between the two countries.

He described Nigeria as the heart and key of Africa . 

Margaret/Elewodalu