The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has entered into a much closer partnership with Chinese companies in order to create value for them and foster relationship between Nigeria and China.
Through the partnership, a Nigeria-China information centre could be established to provide accurate and valid information for all parties.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the MAN-Chinese Investors Forum on doing business in Nigeria, Segun Ajayi Kadiri, director general of MAN, said at the Africa Industrialisation Day held recently, MAN was selected to lead the formation of Pan-African manufacturing and was mandated to establish a platform that would help manufacturers in all 55 African countries on the continent to engage with international companies.
He said the forum created with Chinese firms was an avenue to create conducive environment that promotes mutual benefit for both countries as well as understanding the need to provide essential goods and services.
He further said the country must improve technology, raw materials and machinery in order to facilitate industrialisation and the economy.
Welcoming the partnership with China, he said, “We have tailored our organisation to suit partnership. We have 2500 members operating in 10 sectors.”
He said the partnership would enlarge investor margins and build business relationships between Nigeria and China.
Chang’an Ronnie Liu, chairman, Chinese Investors Association, said Africa, especially Nigeria, is an interesting place to establish businesses but it requires relationship with other countries in order to grow investor relationship.
The maiden edition of the forum was themed ‘Nigeria- China Business Relationship: The Role of MAN, Chinese investors, Regulatory Agencies and the Institute of Nigeria- China Development Studies, University of Lagos’.
Liu said the relationship between China and Nigeria is fruitful, especially in business terms, but regrets a mismatch between what the country requires in the business environment and what investors are aware of about the country’s business environment.
“We are here to do business, but we do not know what Nigeria wants us to do. This is why this association is established to guide Chinese investors. We want more investors to come here and establish more businesses,” he said.
“There should be a partnership that will aim to move the Nigerian business environment forward and proffer policies that will be beneficial for business relations between the two countries,” he further said.
He said it is necessary to think far and ahead in order to make plans that would make Nigeria’s business environment attractive and conducive for prospective business partners in the future.
Femi Saibu, director of Institute of Nigeria-China Development Studies, said the partnership would boost business relationship between the two countries by bridging communication gaps.
He said inclusion of the Nigeria-China development department will change the narrative by incorporating empirical analysis which will inform decisions.
He added that a Nigeria-China information centre will be established in order to provide accurate and valid information, and also organise necessary programmes and conferences to grow the partnership.
Gbemi Faminu
