SGF urges China to set up more industries in Nigeria

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has described the current bilateral partnership between Nigeria and China as one skewed in favour of China.

He stressed the need for a change in the trade agreements to allow for the establishments of Chinese industries in Nigeria.

He said doing so will improve the trade imbalances between both countries, move Nigeria up the value chain of production and provide job opportunities.

Mustapha who was represented by the permanent secretary political and economic affairs, office of the SGF, Gabriel Aduda, made this assertion at the China-Nigeria production capacity and investment cooperation forum, in Abuja.

He suggested a shift from the infrastructural development projects of the Chinese companies to the establishment of industries that will add value to the raw materials exported abroad.

“Economically, there is no gainsaying that China has done very well for Nigeria, however we can have better forum of cooperation with China that will improve balance of trade between Nigeria and China.

“One of the various ways of doing that is to go up the value chain. No country ever grows by just exporting raw materials. We need to be able to add values; it is in the value addition that you are able to get money for yourself.

“We can work with China especially using forums like this to look at capacity building, because they are everywhere in mining and agriculture in Nigeria. The contribution is still at the raw materials level.

He reaffirmed that the federal government has put in place right policies to guide successful engagement with China, adding that no country stands better advantage than China to establish industries and help production.

“We are looking forward to an improvement in China – Nigeria relationship”, he said.