The Federal Government has appealed to China to “remove trade tariff for Nigeria as it had to 33 other African nations, “In hopes of deepening economic cooperation and boosting trade in areas critical to Nigeria’s development goals.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, at the Minister’s office in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement signed and released by the minister’s media aide, Magnus Eze, on Thursday.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding relationship with China, which spans over five decades, and emphasised that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu is prioritising economic diversification as part of its “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

According to the statement, the minister pointed out several key sectors where Nigeria seeks China’s expertise, including the establishment of electric vehicle plants, digital communication, renewable energy, and agriculture.

She also acknowledged China’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s road and rail infrastructure development.

In addition to industrialisation, the minister expressed the country’s commitment to improving its power sector and modernising its ports to create a conducive environment for investment.

She also emphasised the importance of expanding cultural ties, noting an increasing interest among Nigerian youth in learning the Chinese language, which has become central to global trade.

“It’s quite interesting that a large population of Nigerian youth is inching towards Chinese Language. A lot of Nigerian universities are desirous to offer Chinese language. Chinese had become the language of trade in the world.

“Nigeria-China will continue to relate not just bilaterally but multilaterally. We expect that we will continue to get the support of China, but we will always reciprocate that multilaterally.


https://punchng.com/fg-seeks-trade-tariff-exemptions-from-china/