Buhari tells Qataris: Come and invest in Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the business community in Qatar to come and invest in Nigeria, promising to remove “any impediments”.

According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, on Monday, the president gave the assurance while speaking at a meeting with senior executives of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and some private businessmen in Doha on Sunday.

Buhari stated that security was essential to prosperity and development.

“Nobody invests without first knowing how secure a country is. That is why we have placed high premium on securing the country, because you cannot effectively manage a country you have not secured,” he said.

“My party campaigned on three main planks: security, employment generation and anti-corruption.

“We campaigned on zero corruption, promising that we would run an accountable government and we are keeping our promises.”

Referring to the crash in the international crude oil prices and its effect on the Nigerian economy, Buhari informed his host that Nigeria was blessed with vast arable land for agriculture, and rich deposit of solid minerals, which the businessmen can invest in, and reap rich returns in a short while.

“Agriculture and solid minerals will mobilize youths for gainful employment. We have the capacity not to need to import food at all,” he said.

“But we need to also tackle infrastructure deficit in power, transportation, rail, road, and in other areas. We will put together an articulated plan, which would be discussed with you shortly, so that you can make investment decisions.

“All impediments like delayed processing of permits, multiple taxation, and corrupt practices, would be removed.”

Speaking on behalf of the Qatari businessmen, Muhammed Bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari, vice chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry said they would be interested in the finance, oil and gas, telecommunications, tourism, agriculture and food processing sectors, among others.

“All eyes are on Africa in the next decade. Africa is the next place for growth, the rest of the world is looking towards the continent, and Nigeria is an important part of that continent,” Al Kuwari.