The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, has expressed readiness to work with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to boost diaspora investments in the Country.
A press statement by the NIDCOM Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Tuesday in Abuja, said the minster while speaking during a courtesy call by the Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the ministry would create a full department called “Catalytic Investment Unit” to accommodate all Diaspora related matters.
He said the minister commended NIDCOM on partnering with three private sector-led Nigerian Diaspora Summit initiative (NDSI) to organise the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), which has provided a platform for Nigerians who want to invest.
She said the ministry would synergise with NIDCOM and NDIS 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 the country and willing to invest without too much 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, the commission’s boss called for more synergy between NIDCOM and the ministry to enhance Diaspora direct investment
The she used the opportunity to brief the minister on the NDIS which had been hosted 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.
The spokesperson added that in attendance were the Director of Trade and Investment in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi,
and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Nura Abba-Rimi, as well as members of NDIS team.
