The Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Didier Burkhalter, says that Switzerland is working towards ensuring its economic ties with Nigeria wax stronger.
Burkhalter said this when he visited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffery Onyeama, on Wednesday, in Abuja.
He expressed the intention of Switzerland to open another consulate in Lagos which would be a mechanism to promote Swiss trade and investment in Nigeria.
He said: “I am very much enjoying to be here and it is pleasant also to see that we have very a very constructive relation, we have already a good one at the basis, and we would develop it very concretely and pragmatically.
“We would open a consulate in Lagos that would boost economic relations between Switzerland and Nigeria; I am sure in the next future.
“We will continue to help in the humanitarian assistance in the North, for those who are suffering.”
In his remarks, Onyeama commended the Swiss Government for its plan to strengthen its economic relations with Nigeria.
Onyeama said that Switzerland had been of tremendous assistance to Nigeria in many areas.
He added: “Also, Switzerland is helping us in many different areas, with the internally displaced person in the Northern part of the country; they are making significant financial contribution there as well.
“We explore the area of trade they are about to open a new consulate in Lagos and of course this will be a mechanism that will help to promote trade, Swiss investment in Nigeria which is what we are looking for as well.”
Onyeama further said that Switzerland had been cooperating with the Federal Government in its three cardinal programmes which include security, fighting corruption, economy and job creation.
“With regards to security, Switzerland has been very cooperative and in particular we appreciate its financial offer of assistance in respect of the internally displaced persons in the Northern part of the country.
“So, we particularly appreciate the solidarity and generosity of your government in addressing the challenges of the internally displaced persons in the North,” he noted.
He said that the Swiss government had further assisted in the fight against corruption by helping to repatriate money that had been stashed away illegally.
“As far as economy is concerned, there are a lot of Swiss companies in Nigeria; they have made a very big impact.
“But we could also increase the volume of trade between the two countries and part of being able to achieve that is to have more business friendly environment in the country.” (NAN)
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