Nigeria has dropped to the fourth position as China’s trade
partner in Africa from its former second position, the Chinese Ambassador to
Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, has said.
The envoy, however, noted that the relationship between the
African country and Asian giants had a lot of potential, which could be tapped
to the advantage of the two countries.
Speaking during the visit of the House of Representatives Committee
on Nigeria-China Relations to the CGCOC headquarters on Friday in Abuja, the
envoy stated that his country’s desire was for Nigeria to attract massive
Foreign Direct Investment, which he said was needed for the country’s
development.
He disclosed that China had so far attracted over $139tn
FDI, noting that in 2016 alone, his country attracted about $139bn.
“As Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, I wish a small part of
the $139bn could come to Nigeria,” he said, stating that China’s policy was
focused on the economic development of Africa.
He also said that China was devoted to implementing the
outcomes of the China-Africa Cooperation Summit during President Muhammadu
Buhari’s visit to the Asian country in April 2016.
He said, “What is important is for us to focus on the big
plans; we see great potential in investments in Nigeria, but Nigeria-China
trade is declining fast.
“Nigeria used to be China’s number two trade partner in
Africa, but it’s now number four.”
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on
Nigeria-China Relations, Buba Yakubu, said the country would henceforth work on
implementing all agreements reached with China.
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