Friday, October 14, 2016
Mr Dao Duc, Head of Trade Office of the Embassy of
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Friday expressed his government's
readiness to support Nigeria in the development of its non-oil sector.
Dao, who made the disclosure at the Nigeria-Vietnam
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NVCCI) Stakeholders' Forum in Lagos, advised
Nigeria against over-dependence on oil as her revenue earner.
The theme of the forum is "Harnessing Export
Strength of Products of Nigeria for Rapid Economic Advancement; Possible
Lessons from Vietnam's Experience''.
"Nigeria and Vietnam are friends, and we know
the current challenges being faced by Nigeria and this is really giving us
concern.
"Oil cannot continue to be Nigeria's mainstay.
Vietnam is really ready and interested in working with Nigeria in the
development of its non-oil sector resources.
"We are ready to share our know-how and
experiences with Nigerians for the development of their non-oil sector,'' he
said.
Dao, however, said that it was currently impossible
for more Vietnamese companies and investors to invest in Nigeria due to problems
of infrastructure and other challenges.
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Beijing, China, Amb.
Oluwole Coker said that there was a lot for Nigerians to learn from Vietnam in
developing their country's non-oil sector.
Coker enjoined Nigerians to reduce their travelling
to Vietnam for just buying and selling, but to visit Vietnam to learn things
that would make Vietnamese companies come to establish in Nigeria.
He said that it was imperative for Nigerians to know
that Vietnamese had new technologies, discipline and patriotism that they
should learn from.
The NVCCI's President, Mr Oye Akinsemoyin, said that
Nigeria should learn from Vietnam, which after devastating wars was able to
transform her economy from being import-dependent to being export-oriented.
"Vietnam has been able to resourcefully turn
itself from poverty to a force to be reckoned with in the Association of South-Eastern
Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"She has been able to radically transform its
non-oil external trade sector from being import-dependent to being
export-oriented within a short period of time.
"Nigeria can choose to learn from Vietnam to be
able overcome its current economic situation,'' he said.
The highpoint of the NVCCI's event was the
conferment of Award as its Grand Patron on the former External Affairs
Minister, Prof.Bolaji Akinyemi.
NVCCI also conferred its Honorary Award on the
Chairman of Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), Prof. Pat Utomi.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN