Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris
Uzoka-Anite has expressed the need to work with the Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission (NIDCOM) to boost Diaspora investments in the Country.
Speaking during a courtesy call by the Chairman/CEO,
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the
Minister said she would create a full department called “Catalytic Investment
Unit” in the Ministry to accommodate all Diaspora-related matters.
The Minister commended NiDCOM, partnering the private
sector-led Nigerian Diaspora Summit initiative (NDSI) to organize the Nigerian
Diaspora Investment summit, which had provided a platform for Nigerians who
wanted to invest.
She said the Ministry would synergies with NiDCOM and NDSI to
make the summit even stronger, in-line with the Ministry’s investment
initiatives and policies.
The Minister said “I have been charged by Mr. President to
look for inward investment into the country. NiDCOM has saved me from starting
from the scratch. We will build on your platform and work together”.
Uzoka-Anite described the Diaspora as a great potential for
investment who are passionate about their country and willing to invest without
too many conditions or demands.
The Minister added that the ministry can support Diaspora
Investment by designing and creating different investment channels, negotiating
long term investment opportunities, propose removal of taxes on dividends and
provide extra security arrangement on Diaspora investment and even work
together to push bills to be sponsored by the National Assembly.
Earlier, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had called for more synergy
between the Commission and the Ministry to enhance Diaspora Direct Investment.
The NiDCOM boss used the opportunity to brief the Minister on
the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) which had been hosted in Abuja
six times.
“We have some requests which include creating incentives for
the Diaspora coming back home to invest, partnering to implement the Diaspora
Investment Trust Fund and establishing a Diaspora Desk in the Ministry”
Dabiri-Erewa said.
In attendance were the duo of Amb. Bolaji Akinremi, Director
of Trade and Investment in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Amb. Nura
Abba-Rimi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and
Investment as well as members of NDIS team.
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