With barely a month to the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit scheduled to hold in Abuja, the organizers have disclosed that about 200 foreign investors and hundreds of local investment experts and operators had indicated interest to participate in event.
The chief promoter of the summit and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, projected that over $35 billion potential investment would be attracted into the economy through the summit.
A statement issued on Sunday by her media aide, Abdulramon Balogun, indicated that the three-day summit was being organised in collaboration with Nigeria Diaspora Alumni Network (NIDAN) and supported by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC).
He quoted Dabiri-Erewa as saying that the summit was geared towards encouraging Nigerians in the Diaspora to invest in the nation’s economy, adding that responses so far to the invitation sent on the summit has been very encouraging.
The former lawmaker, who hinted that the issue of the tax holiday and other incentives would be discussed at the forum, said that the event was also expected to help in the provision of jobs and opportunities for the nation’s economic expansion and growth.
She said that many investors were interested in investing in the country, including a U.S company which already expressed readiness to invest millions of dollars in the economy.
Dabiri-Erewa explaind: “We have been going all over the world seeking investors, but Nigerians in the Diaspora are the first line of investors in Nigeria. We are reaching out to them to invest in the nation.
“The summit, which will be graced by President Muhammadu Buhari, will target agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, transportation, education, technology and other sectors.
“About 200 companies and Nigerians in the Diaspora have indicated interest in participating in the summit scheduled for Nov. 27 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja”, the former lawmaker added
Noting that ministers and other local investors are also being expected at the summit, Dabiri-Erewa explained that the three-day programme “is expected to yield billions of naira in financial inflow and investments into the Nigerian economy.”
She hinted further that the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) had compiled a list of investment opportunities, which the summit participants could explore to guide them in investment plans and decisions.
