16 November 2009
THE Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has traced the unsuccessful implementation of the inter-ministerial agreements between Nigeria and South Africa to the limited involvement of the organised private sector.
Speaking at the opening session of the Business Roundtable to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Abuja at the weekend, Dr. Jonathan said "agreements between government ministries and departments are of little or no effect without the introduction of inevitable private capital". He therefore urged the participants to use the opportunity of the celebration to bring together the business leaders of the two countries to deliberate on how to invigorate the agreements signed by both countries and help in making policies that advance the course of business between Nigeria and South Africa.
Dr. Jonathan also urged participants to "discuss frankly as amongst brothers but with the decorum and mutual respect of partners who understand the inevitability of their relationship as there may be some Nigerians who want something done about the balance of business opportunities and penetration between Nigeria and South African businesses; those who might have even accused South African authorities of erecting discriminating obstacles against Nigerian businesses and some Nigerians who have questioned the very rationale for the BNC if our relations and the benefits they confer are so skewed".
He noted that "relations between Nigeria and South Africa are far too important for both countries to allow the consular and administrative distractions to undermine their potentials to uplift our people". He also noted that the theme for the anniversary celebration - Nigeria and South Africa in Partnership for a Better Africa clearly suggests, "the bilateral relations between both countries have the capacity o improve the overall political and socio-economic environment on the African continent".
In her address, South African Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Maria Ntuli, noted that with the recovery of the global economic crisis underway, the case for stronger South South Trade and Cooperation is compelling as it is expected that emerging economies would lead structural changes in global economy. Ntuli disclosed that with several decades of bilateral trade relations, Nigeria has become South Africa's second largest trade partner in Africa. The Minister also expressed optimism that with African initiatives on peace, stability, good political and economic governance, the fate of South African economic journey and indeed other African countries are now tied to the promise of economic revival and take off in Africa.
Presenting a paper on "Opportunities and Challenges to doing Business in Nigeria and South Africa", President, African Business Roundtable and Chairman, NEPAD Business Group, Bamanga Tukur, said the Federal Government has put in place policies and programmes under the Seven Point Agenda and Vision 20/2020 to divest its investment to foreign and local investors in areas of telecommunication and infrastructure provision. He urged South African businessmen and women to take advantage of these policies to invest in areas of their interest. Nigeria's Minister of National Planning and Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, in a presentation on 'Nigeria and South Africa in Partnership for a Better Africa', explained that a sustained and active bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa promises positive dividends, not only to the economies of the two countries but also to those in the sub regions of Nigeria and South Africa.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 Daily Champion. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
