Following Federal Government’s diversification drive amid revenue constrains, Pirjo Suomela Chowdhury, Finland ambassador to Nigeria, has held discussions with the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC) with focus on adding technological advancement in the solid mineral and agricultural sectors, rather than exporting raw materials.
Chowdhury said her visit was predicated on attracting investment drive in Nigeria’s solid mineral sector, which according to her, presents huge opportunities for Nigeria’s economic diversification.
In his remarks, Hussaini Ibrahim, director-general, RMRDC, told BusinessDay that during the visit: “Development of the solid mineral sector is a major way of catalysing industrial development and indication of government’s effort in advancing economic diversification in the non-oil sector.
“Nigeria would be taking advantage of the technological advancement of Finland to improve on the solid mineral sector, which is key in Federal Government’s diversification plans.
“The collaboration between Finland and Nigeria signals a great partnership between both countries with respect to economic diversification. Nigeria provides the raw material and Finland provides the needed technical assistance for the exploitation.”
Earlier, the Finnish ambassador informed of the business delegation from her country that would be visiting the Nigeria soon, with discussions centred on investment in the solid mineral, agriculture, forestry, petro-chemical, and waste management sectors.
Recall, Kayode Fayemi, minister of mines and steel, had held discussions with the American ambassador to Nigeria, James Ernstwhistle, with focus on development of the solid mineral sector, to further boost the revenue base of the country.
The Federal Government had proposed the sum of N18,625,703,622 in its capital and recurrent expenditure in the 2016 appropriation bill for the mining sector, which analysts believe could spark off the needed diversification in the sector.
