Nigeria: President Jonathan hosts Ivorian President Quattara
By Chinyere Ogbonna – Shout-Africa Nigerian Correspondent – Ivorian President, Mr. Alassane Ouattara has arrived Nigeria to attract investors to his country.
President Jonathan hosts Ivorian President Quattara
Mr. Ouattara said the Ivorian economy would contract by seven percent this year following the country’s civil war. He appealed for the support of African countries and international organizations to rebuild his country’s economy.
President Quattara expressed his country’s confidence in the ability of Jonathan to ensure that ECOWAS plays its role on the African continent and the world at large.
After a close door meeting with President Jonathan in Abuja, President Quattara told journalists to that his country now enjoys peace which he credited to Nigeria’s leadership
The Ivorian leader said an agreement for cooperation has been reached between Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria to explore opportunities for investment and economic development within the sub-region.
This is Ivorian’s President, Alassane Ouattara first visit to Nigeria after his inauguration as the country’s leader.
Nigeria played a major role in ensuring the installation of Mr. Ouattara as president following political crisis that left over one million people displaced and three thousand people dead.
The Ivorian President is in Nigeria to woo business men to invest in his country and improve his country’s economic ties with the Nigerian government.
Beside economic diplomacy, Mr. Ouattara says the issue of security especially at its borders with neighboring countries is top on his agenda.
He said that there are over fifteen thousand Ivorian refugees in other countries. For top officials of the Nigeria investment promotion commission, the agency charged with the responsibility of attracting foreign direct investment in the country, this is the time for Ivory Coast to woo Nigerian investors capable of adding value to its economy.
Economy has experienced slow growth in the last ten years. Financial experts say the step taken by Mr. Ouattara to rebuild the nation’s economy is a step in the right direction if the country is to achieve any meaningful development.
