President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Italian business people to come and invest in Nigeria and for more intensive trade and economic engagement between the two countries.
President Buhari, who spoke when he received in audience, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, at the State House, Abuja, described the connection between Nigeria and Italy as very strong.
He commended the resilience of Italian businesses in Nigeria and expressed happiness that new businesses would soon be set up in the country. He also commended the support of the Italian government in tackling the humanitarian situation in the Nigeria’s Northeast as well as the training they are giving to Nigerian policemen.
Gentiloni, who was accompanied by the Italian Minister of State for Interior, Mr. Domenico Manzione, announced his government’s $10 Million humanitarian assistance to the Lake Chad region countries in addition to what they are already doing.
He said that such assistance is within the framework of the European Union.
He said that the visit of the business group on his delegation was a fulfillment of the promise made by the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Matteo Renzi, during his visit in February, to strengthen relations with Nigeria, politically and economically. [myad]
