By: Mnena Iyorkegh, Abuja
Burundi has called on Nigerian Investors to explore and invest in the numerous business opportunities present in the East African Country for economic profit.
The move is to strengthen economic ties and attract much-needed foreign investment, to both nations.
The Senior Advisor incharge of Missions of the Presidency of Burundi, Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko made the call during the the high-level meeting with Nigerian Business Community in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Ambassador Mfumukeko, explained that with Nigeria being the power house of Africa, is good other African countries take advantage of the opportunity by inviting her for business.
“We have come to Nigeria with the delegation from Burundi to invite people from the private sector in Nigeria to explore investment opportunities in Burundi.
“This is because we feel there are so many things Nigeria as Africa power house has and can do, in terms boosting trade and investment growth in other parts of the continent. We have an investment legislation that any investor coming can repatriate their profit, so far as they comply to the local policies, especially in area of taxation.”
Always speaking, the Burundi’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Edouard Nduwimana, while commending Burundi-Nigeria bilateral cooperation, noted that the aim of the cooperation is to become an emerging economy.
“Burundi-Nigeria business cooperation is commendable; our aim is to achieve a vision of becoming emerging economic nation in 2040 and a developed country in 2060. We look forward to wooing Nigeria investors to Burundi. Let us continue in the spirit of win-win cooperation to create mutual economic prosperity for both countries,” Nduwimana said.
On his part, A Former Minister of Commerce, who is also the Chairman of Invest in Northern Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mustafa Bello, Urged Nigerians investors to leverage on the invite and establish a business cooperation between both countries.
“That bridge is exactly what we need to build. With the two councils in place, the ambassador would have finished his job, and the two sides can continue interacting, organizing trade delegations, investment missions, and the likes. What is left of us as Nigerians is to take advantage of the investment opportunity we have been exposed to. Then, to see how we can build the bridge; which is creating Nigeria-Burundi business council and Burundi-Nigeria business council. We have the market, the population strength, capacity and resources which are key things required to buy-in and engage in a country,” Bello said.
At the High level meeting, with the theme: “Burundi, an Emerging Country in 2040 and a Developed Country in 2060: Discovering Investment Opportunities”, Nigeria’s market potential was highlighted as a key factor in attracting investment, as the country boasts a large market, population, capacity, and high-net-worth individuals.
