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We’ll continue to invest in Nigeria — Turkish ambassador

By on June 23, 2013

The Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mustafa Pulat, has said despite the security challenge in the country, his home country and investors will continue to invest in Nigeria.

He said in a statement obtained on Friday that Turkey had many business interests in Nigeria and

Pulat, who noted that the country was conducive to business, said Turkey had many business interests in Nigeria.

He said, “We have many business interests in Nigeria. We have established the Turkish International University in Abuja. We are working on the establishment of a hospital in Abuja.

“Turkish business men are also building factories in Nigeria. I have a mandate to set up a consulate in Lagos that will take care of Turkish business interests in the South-west. The only challenge we face is the dearth of property in Lagos and that has been limiting us.”

Pulat said Turkey would establish a joint Nigeria-Turkish Commission to promote economic cooperation between the two countries.

Pulat, who recently presented his letter of credence to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, said he did not have any apprehension of being posted to Nigeria, notwithstanding the security situation.

According to him, every country has its own problems and Nigeria will not be an exception.

He said, “Turkey too has problems. I am not new to Africa. I have served in Sudan and Germany but this is my first time in Nigeria as an ambassador and it is amazing. Nigeria is an interesting country; I have made a lot friends.

“I have met many Nigerians who are ready to partner with Turkey in businesses – manufacturing and other issues of trades. It is very interesting because Nigeria has enormous human and material resources. There is a lot of Turkish presence in Nigeria. We have 16 Turkish companies in auto parts exhibition.”

While advising Nigeria on how to handle the security challenges, he noted that “terrorism is a global phenomenon. Each country has to tackle it as best as it could. They all come down to one thing; providing adequate amenities for our citizens. The government must accede to the yearnings of the people and provide justice for all.”

In order to solve the problem of visa constraint that Nigerian businessmen face when travelling to Turkey, he said the country would soon establish e-visa regime so that Nigerians could apply for visa online.

This, he added, did not mean his home country was restricting Nigerians entry into Turkey.

He said Turkey had almost fulfilled all the requirements to join the European Union, adding that the delay in joining had been a blessing in disguise.

He stated, “If Turkey had been admitted during the current economic crisis rocking Europe, it would be affected. We have no political issues with any European nation. The suspicion about our economic status has been removed by the delay. We are now poised to entering the EU since we have no problems with any European country.”

 

 

[Vanguard]