Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria to Strengthen Economic Ties

• Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria to Strengthen Economic Ties

Ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire to Nigeria, Mrs. Toure Maman, has called for better economic relations between the two African nations.

Maman, who addressed participants at the anniversary of the country’s 59th independence in Abuja on Wednesday, said Cote d’Ivoire Gross Domestic Product remained positive for the seventh consecutive year despite 2011 political crisis.

She said the economy expanded slightly above 7 percent in 2018, this she projected would increase to 7.2 percent in 2019.

Maman said, “The private sector has become the main driver of growth, notably through massive investments in the telecommunications, agro-food and Public Works Building sectors.

“This is an opportunity for companies and business people based in Nigeria and other parts of the world to do business in Cote d’Ivoire with the security index at 1.1.

“The economic upturn will not have been possible without cooperation with Nigeria; Indeed, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria maintain excellent ties of friendship and cooperation, since the diplomatic relations in 1961.

“Our bilateral relation has deepened in recent years by the will of President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria.”

The ambassador put the total trade volume between the two nations at N600 billion a year.

She, however, calls for a more cordial relationship between the two nations in terms of trade and security.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mustapha Sulaiman, said Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire are not just neighbours but brothers.

“We look forward to strengthening Cote d’Ivoire/Nigeria relations, by supporting one another in brotherhood, to enable our citizens to enjoy doing business in both countries,” Sulaiman said.