By Joy Odor
A high-powered delegation of over 30 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) from Egypt has arrived in Nigeria to explore opportunities for mutual benefits in various sectors.
Led by the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Expatriates, Badr Abdel Aaty, the group met with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar (MFA), in Abuja on Monday.
The delegation is interested in investing in Nigeria’s agriculture, pharmaceuticals, industry, energy, mineral, oil, and gas sectors.
Abdel Aaty emphasized the need to boost bilateral trade relations, citing the current low trade volume between the two countries.
“We have to double and even triple the trade volume to match the weight of the two countries.
“For me, I’m heading for a big delegation. We have more than 30 giant companies in Egypt, in different sectors, in agriculture, in pharmaceuticals, in industry, in energy, in minerals, oil and gas, you name it.
“They are here because there are a lot of opportunities, a conducive environment for investment and we are committed to come, to invest, to do business here based on a win-win situation” he said.
In his address, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar echoed his sentiment, highlighting the strategic importance of Nigeria as a gateway to Africa.
The Egyptian delegation will attend the Jigawa State Business Forum, where they will explore investment opportunities in agriculture and other sectors.
The two countries have agreed to establish a joint commission to drive initiatives and enhance cooperation.
Tuggar reiterated the federal government’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing bilateral relationship with Egypt, which dates back to the days of independence.
Abdel Aaty conveyed the Egyptian government’s condolences over the passing of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and offered to partner with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
“The relationship between Egypt and Nigeria has gone beyond mere trade and all that, it is dated back to our independence and we are both in so many platforms across the globe-coupled with the fact that the two countries constituted about one-quarter of the total population of the entire African” he stressed.
