21st Century World African Dream Of Economic Tiger Of Globe Will Remain Intangible Sans Peace And Stability In Federal Republic Of Nigeria”—Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Vice President, Islamabad Chamber Of Commerce & Industry, Pakistan
Federal Capital, Islamabad, Pakistan
Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Vice President (ICCI), Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said in the media briefing yesterday , “The focus of World Powers is shifting to African Continent in 21st Century as African Continent has the potential to emerge as the Future Economic Tiger of the Globe due to many reasons.
It is the second largest continent with 54 sovereign states. It is diverse, dynamic and rich in its traditions and culture. In addition to that , the African Continent is full of natural and mineral resources. It is universally recognized as world’s storehouse of untapped strategic raw materials.
He said while 80% of world’s platinum and chromium reserves, 60% of diamond reserves and 40% of gold reserves are located in African continent. Therefore, emerging African continent has become the center of attraction of the United States, China, European Union members including the world community. But the 21st century world African dream of “robust Modern Economy” will remain intangible sans peace and stability in Federal Republic of Nigeria which is major gateway to the entire African Continent, particularly the West Africa.
He said , “ Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) is sending a High Powered Trade Delegation to Nigeria in the First Week of August, 2016 . The High Powered Trade Delegation will include the key businessmen from Islamabad Federal Capital, Manufacturers, Young Entrepreneurs, Investors and Industrialists.
He disclosed that ICCI High Powered Trade Delegation will strive to meet the President of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari , Hon Ministers, and Nigerian Business Community. The focus is to explore investment opportunities in the areas of Textiles, Solid Minerals, expanding cooperation between the two countries in Agriculture machinery, establishment of fertilizer production units, farming technology, livestock, leather products, poultry, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, rice processing, surgical equipments and the transfer of technology.
He said (ICCI) High Powered Trade Delegation will also visit the Sokoto Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Nigerian Business Community in Abuja and Lagos Business Club including visit to the Pakistan High Commission in Abuja and Lagos Commercial Section.
He added that the rise of Boko Haram conflict is a great conspiracy to undermine the peace and stability of the West African Region, thereby , blocking avenues of Economic Prosperity for Nigeria as Federal Republic of Nigeria has the potential to become the Economic Gateway for the entire Region of West and Central Africa in the days to come”.
Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Vice President, ICCI said I appreciate the personal efforts of Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari to transform Federal Republic of Nigeria into a great “Economic Tiger of African Content” by addressing issues of Corruption, Terrorism, Food Security, Agricultural Revival and Employment Generation.
He said, “ I am proud to congratulate the Nigerian President His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari for organizing the recent International Security Summit in Abuja on Boko Haram to revamp fight against the terrorists and develop a strategy tackling the on-going conflict affecting millions of Nigerians, particularly, the West African Region for which Federal Republic of Nigeria can serve as the hub of future economic activity for the whole of West Africa”.
He added that today Pakistan and Nigeria bilateral relations have now entered into a new phase and Pakistan has always pledged Nigeria substantial cooperation to handle security challenges such as counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency as Pakistan has adequate experience of fighting insurgency.
He said Pakistan has always supported the Nigerian’s Government efforts to end the menace of Boko Haram insurgency and holds in high esteem the personal efforts of Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni who played the key role to boost counter-terrorism cooperation between Pakistan and Nigeria during his diplomatic assignment (2012-2015).
He said Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni during his diplomatic tenure in Pakistan (2012-2015) did great job to further expand bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan in the area of counter-terrorism and war against insurgency.
He said Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni arranged the visit to Nigerian Inspector of Police to Pakistan in 2014 and this visit brought Pakistan and Nigeria closer in cooperation to fight against terrorism and conducting of training in war against terrorism for Nigerian Military and Police.
He said that even during President Mamnoon Hussain’s First Ever State visit to Nigeria, Governments of Pakistan and Nigeria reached an agreement to cooperate and collaborate in counter-terrorism and insurgency strategies.