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President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the South African government to open up its economy for more Nigerian businesses and guarantee their safety, stressing the need for reciprocity in promoting trade and investments between the two nations.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Ninth Bi-National Commission in Pretoria, the president noted that South African companies had enjoyed unfettered access to Nigerian market and protection, urging his hosts to design policies that favour investments from the most populous black nation.
His words: “We are pleased to inform you that our government has made doing business in Nigeria easier through the Ease of Doing Business Initiative to open up more opportunities for investors.
“We call on the government of South Africa to also take steps to ease the doing of business in the country and open up its market space for Nigerian businessmen and women.
“In this context, we are gratified that a Nigeria-South Africa Business Forum has been organised in the framework of this state visit,”
Buhari said Nigeria will continue to value its relationship with the rainbow nation and the second biggest economy in Africa, noting that 32 agreements had been signed by the two countries.
He continued: “We, in Nigeria value the warm fraternal relations binding our two countries and cherish our special relationship. We consider South Africa (as) an ally and a strategic partner.
“We need to implement those that have come into force as well as to expedite necessary action to ratify the seven outstanding agreements that have not yet been brought into force.
“I welcome the robust defence cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa, and call for more support and solidarity with us in our fight against terrorism and violent extremism. We also welcome the increased collaboration against arms and drug trafficking, money laundering and human trafficking.”
The Nigerian leader “condemned in the strongest terms attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa, the looting of their shops and businesses and burning of their properties.”
He added: “We call for the strengthening and implementation of all the necessary measures to prevent the re-occurrence of such action which threatens to undermine not only our strong bilateral relations but also what we stand for in the context of our vision for a strong and prosperous Africa.”
In his remarks, President Cyril Ramaphosa regretted the attacks, assuring that his government would do more to safeguard lives and property.
