Shettima heads to China for 3rd Belt and Road forum

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Nigeria to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forum in Beijing, China.

The forum holds from October 16 to 18.

In a statement on Sunday, Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media, said Shettima would join world leaders from over 130 countries to deliberate on the theme “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity”.

Nkwocha said Shettima is expected to avail Nigeria the platform provided by the forum to woo investors for more developmental projects.

Nkwocha added that Shettima would hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders to promote Nigeria’s trade and investment relations in line with the economic development agenda of the Tinubu administration.

“The 2023 edition of the BRI will mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) championed by the President of China, Xi Jinping, as an initiative for global infrastructure development strategy,” he said.

“Adopted and launched by the government of the Peoples Republic of China in 2013.

“The initiative seeks international action to enhance cooperation and promote infrastructure investment in nearly 70 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe through land and maritime routes.”

He noted that in 2018, former President, Muhammadu Buhari signed the Belt and Road cooperation agreement with China.

“Nigeria and other partner-countries across the world are to benefit from the initiative in areas of infrastructure investments such as ports, skyscrapers, railroads, roads, bridges, airports, dams and coal-fired power stations,” he added.

Nkwocha said the delegation of the vice-president to the forum includes Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs; Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning; and Sa’idu Alkali, minister of transportation.

Others are David Umahi, minister of works; Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of industry, trade and investment; Fidet Okhira, managing director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation; and Micheal Ohiani, director-general of infrastructure concession regulatory commission.

Nkwocha added that in pursuance of the food security and diversification policy of the Tinubu administration, the vice-president will depart China for the United States.

“While in US as the special guest, Shettima will deliver a keynote address at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Food Prize – facilitated Norman E.Borlaug International Dialogue slated to commence on October 24th, 2023,” Nkwocha said.

“Also, he will join other African international leaders, Heads of State and Government who in the past have delivered keynote addresses at the Borlaug Dialogue.

“They include former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan; World Food Prize Laureates; Ghana President, John Kufuor, AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adeshina and former President Olusegun Obasanjo and others.”

The media aide also said Shettima is expected to highlight reforms being instituted in the Nigerian agrifood sector.

“The vice president will engage several stakeholders, partners and investors in opportunities for investments in Nigeria,” Nkwocha added.

“Several meetings and engagements have been slated for the vice president who is expected to be back to the country after his commitments in the US.”