Republic of Korea Tuesday said the country is set to invest in Nigeria with focus on agriculture, energy, natural resources, cyberspace, biotechnology and oil refinery.
Mr Jang Sungmin, Special Envoy of the President of Korea,
disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Abuja after having a meeting with Vice
President Kashim Shettima and other top government officials in Abuja.
Sungmin said the visit was to explore areas of expanding
Korean economic cooperation with Nigeria especially as President Tinubu promised
to further open up the country to foreign investments.
He said, “President Yoon, last year, announced a policy to
expand cooperation with Africa.
“Only a month ago, the president sent a special envoy to the
inauguration of President Tinubu. Within a span of few weeks, he sent another
special envoy to Nigeria to emphasise his willingness and commitment to deepen
cooperation with Nigeria especially in the area of economy because Nigeria is
Africa’s gateway to the world.
He said, “Nigeria has the biggest market in Africa. It has
the biggest population. As you know, Korea is a country that has all the
technological and economic knowhow to lead the fourth industrial revolution. We
are seeking to expand our cooperation, which will enhance Nigeria’s economic
development.
“Nigeria’s new
administration has opened up the country for business, Korea wants to explore
the numerous opportunities here. We want to cooperate in a more tailored way.
“Korea has the
technological knowhow, the skills, the capacity, human resources especially in
the area of agriculture, cyberspace, security, biotechnology, oil refinery and
others. Korea looks forward to a bright future with Nigeria. We are looking
forward to investing more in Nigeria.”
The special envoy assured that more delegations from Korea
will visit Nigeria to explore areas of cooperation and investment.
He also reiterated that Korea would continue to provide
development assistance to Nigeria and other countries with which it shared
common values.
The delegation, led by Sungmin, is comprised of Mr Kim
Young-chae, South Korean ambassador to Nigeria; Mr Yoo Chang-ho, Deputy
Secretary to the President for Future Policy; Mr Guillaume Barthe-Dejean, Vice
President, SK; Mr KIM Inkyu, Chief Financial Officer, LG Electronics Nigeria
Corp.; Mr Choi Jungwon, Economic Attaché, Korean Embassy in Nigeria and Ms.
Park Hyesong, Korea International Development Agency.