allAfrica.com: Nigeria: I'll Work for Interest of Both Egyptians And Nigerians, Says Nageeb (Page 1 of 1)

You've spent a relatively short time in Nigeria, what are your impressions so far?

I am glad and honored to be an Ambassador of Egypt to this great Country Nigeria, the heart of Africa. I am pleased to serve in Nigeria.

Which areas do you think Nigerian, Egypt relations are lacking?

I believe that relations between the two countries have a lot of potentials that can be beneficial for both countries. We are working on how to turn these potentials into reality.

What areas do you want to focus on?

We deal with all areas of cooperation with the same interest. We believe that the level of bilateral trade does not reflect the actual potential and the existing political and cultural exchange between Egypt and Nigeria. We are working to establish an Egyptian -Nigerian business Council that will provide the mechanism for the private sector to work and promote trade and investment between the two countries. We have pledged our total support for this newly established body and believe that the initiative is fully driven by the desire to increase the existing cooperation with Nigeria. We are also grateful for the support provided by the committed Nigerian businessmen, the able guidance of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

While Nigeria's foreign earnings are based on oil, your country is making headway in the Information Technology sector, how do you help Nigeria diversify into the IT sector.

Egypt is ready and willing to cooperate with Nigeria in the Information Technology (IT) sector; and we can see that in the Nigerian participation (more than 120 participant) of the just concluded ITU Telecom Africa 2008, held at the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Centre (CICC) in Cairo. The Smart Technology Village, based in Cairo is already cooperating with the newly established Abuja Technological Village and as well as similar Institution in Kano and Lagos. The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of communication/information technology in 2008. I think the future corporation in this sector is very promising.

Do you have any area you wish to benefit from your country's relation with Nigeria?

The benefit should be mutual. No part is going to benefit on the expense of another. We are working for the common interest of both Egyptian/ Nigerian peoples based on a win-win approach.

How do you assess the budding of democracy and the development of civil rule in Nigeria?

We support the democratic process in Nigeria. Nigeria is an African and brotherly country, we believe it is our duty to respect the choice of the people with regard to their economic and political development.

What is the current trade volume between your country and Nigeria?

The curve of the Egyptian- Nigeria trade relations is rising from 7 million dollars of trade in 2003 to 102 Million in 2007, with an increase of 1375 per cent. Nigeria import ceramics, chemicals and industrialized goods from Egypt, and export agricultural and industrialized materials to Egypt. Egypt's investment is over 700 million dollars while the Nigeria's investment figures in Egypt are not available, but many Nigerians invest in the real estate market in Egypt. All this figures are based on official statistics and we believe that informal trade, which was not accounted for is of several folds.

What is the situation in the area of education and cultural exchange?

Egypt - Nigeria educational and cultural exchange is excellent based on deep rooted historical relationship between the two countries, and a cultural affinity that brings together the two people. The Egyptian Government awards many scholarships to Nigerian students in a Al-Ahzar university and In other universities as well, in addition, great numbers of Nigerians are currently in Egypt studying at their own expenses. Sometimes Nigerians who meet me tell me that they were educated in Egypt and they like their children to be educated there. They feel that Egypt is their second home. We have so sophisticated private schools which can satisfy all the educational requirements.

We have an Egyptian Cultural Centre in Kano, established in 1964 and help carry the important role of spreading the Arabic language and delivering the Egyptian message of culture and cooperation.

Sometime in 2006, your country and Nigeria considered civilian nuclear power as a way of generating electricity, will you advice Nigeria to go for nuclear energy to solve its energy crisis?

We opt for nuclear energy based on the feasibility and options available for both governments and the actual need and necessity. Egypt is embarking on a long term plan to build eight nuclear plants for electricity generation for the next 20 years. The plan is ambitious and was politically approved by the president and the legislative and technical authorities.

Allow me to seize this opportunity to express my condolence for the victims of the pipeline fire incident at Ijegun, Lagos. The government of Egypt, based on its deep rooted and excellent relations with Nigeria has shown her solidarity by donating a drug shipment that consists of special ointment for burns and First Aid Kits for the victims. I, on behalf of my country, wish those recuperating at the various hospitals a speedy recovery.

Allow me to express my personal deep sadness and my condolence for the Nigerian brave soldiers who lost their dear lives on their way to their base. We share with the Nigerian government and people this national loss. We also share with the families of the lost.

web allafrica.com	Enter your search terms	Submit search form
OR subscribers use AllAfrica's premium search engine


Use our pull-down menus to find more stories

Today's Most Active Stories