By Meletus EZE
Business experts across local and international networks have lauded on-going efforts of the Federal Government at ensuring that Nigerians in diaspora bring their investments to African soil.
The experts spoke on the sideline of the closing ceremony of a two-day 2nd Emerging Business Destination Summit, which ended in Abuja on Thursday.
The current administration of President Mohammadu Buhari had taken bold steps in attracting home Nigerians with legitimate incomes for investment.
Engr. Innocent Ogu, President African Legacy International, said that Nigeria was gradually taking her rightful place as a business hub in Africa, due to on-going efforts of the government.
“ Nigeria has everything that is required to be the best in business not only in Africa but in the world as a whole, and thank God that the current is not relenting to promote this.
“Gradually, through concerted efforts among those in power and private stakeholders, issues of electricity, good road, security and other infrastructure are being tackled in such a way to rapidly attract foreign investments.
Ogu also lauded the government for initiating a less problematic visa policy for both Nigerians and non-Nigerians visiting for business purposes.
“Another one is the initiative in the issuance of visa and immigration policies of the Federal Government. Right now, people could be given visas without issues. Before now, bureaucracy would delay visas for months and weeks, but now the story has changed.
“ It will interest you to know that the Federal Government has opened new visa methods. On the spot, international businessmen and women could now get visa and fly in the next two days to Nigeria.
“Government is really trying to open all these windows to allow foreign investors to visit and tap into the nation’s human and natural resources.
Another expert, Dr Joseph Pace Vincenti, a businessman from Marta, said the purpose of attending the summit was to help Nigerians and Africans doing business in Europe succeed and take their businesses home to Africa.
“With what we have experienced here in Nigeria, I think the country has a lot of potential to lead the rest of Africa, especially in business opportunities; Nigeria is an advanced country in Africa.
“Again, it must be mentioned that the Nigerian government is doing all it could to achieve investment expansion like what we have in Europe. Certainly, Nigeria will surprise the world in a good way if this is sustained by the government,’’ he said.
Dr Mohammed Kouta, an Egyptian and President, South America-Middle East-Africa IGI-BMC International, told NAN that Nigeria would overcome whatever challenges soonest.
“The government here appears very passionate to overcome hurdles of corruption, power instability and others. With all these, Nigerians abroad will be will to come and invest their money at home.
“The population of Nigerians doing very well outside the shores of Nigeria is very huge. All they need is government backing at home and the story will change,’’ Kouta said.
Over 40 international business icons and captains of industries from United Kingdom, Marta, Italy, Lebanon, Egypt and others attended the summit, aimed at achieving an international dialogue for business growth in Africa.
