Senate President, Dr.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday identified the provision of
infrastructure, industrialization and Information Technology (IT) as
critical areas that require solid co-operation
between Nigeria and China for economic revival and growth.
Saraki, according to a statement from his Media Office, in Abuja, stated this when he hosted the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Pingjian
in his office.
The Senate President
lauded the excellent relationship between Nigeria and China and said
there was need to take it further in more mutually beneficial ways.
He noted that Nigeria
has demographic similarities with China and expressed hope that both
countries will be able to resolve any outstanding issue towards
deepening their relationship.
He said there was
ample room for Chinese investors to invest in the textile industry in
the northern part of the country towards reviving commercial activities
there.
He also called for
better parliamentary co-operation between the National Assembly and the
Peoples Assembly of China through the exchange of ideas on
parliamentary best practices.
Saraki said: "We can
further deepen the relationship between us and be able to put behind us
some of the long outstanding issues and then break into new areas that
we all wish for. I think there is no
doubt today that Nigeria as a country - both as a government and a
people - that we really treasure the importance of a relationship with
China. I want to reemphasize that as we look at the present government's
policies and direction, we believe that there
is a great role for your country to play. There is a lot that we can do
together to build trust," he said.
In a related development, Saraki
has pledged the co-operation and support of the Senate for all
financial institutions offering non-interest
based financial services in Nigeria. He said that non-interest
financial services would be most appreciated in this country especially
now that the economy is in recession.
Dr. Saraki, while
addressing the Chairman of of the Board Of Directors of Jaiz Bank Plc,
Alhaji Umaru Mutallab and members of the management team who visited him
in his office also stated that the recently
passed Public Procurement law by the Senate was aimed at stimulating
the Nigerian economy, especially now that the economy of the country is
in recession.
The Senate President
said the National Assembly will ensure a level playing ground for all
banks operating in Nigeria, especially in the area of ensuring that same
laws regulating all banking institutions
apply to those offering the non-interest financial services.
"I commend Jaiz bank
and your dogged determination in ensuring that the services of non
interest bank has taken root in Nigeria. Our duty and responsibility is
to ensure that your bank and other financial
institutions offering non interest services have a fair playing ground
with other banking and financial institutions in the country. The Senate
is reviewing some economic laws and it is our duty that the right laws
are created for the smooth operations of
all banks and financial institutions", Saraki said.
While Mr.
Pingjian lauded Nigeria for its great strides and pledged to further
deepen diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, Dr Mutallab
said the visit was to intimate lawmakers on the proposed changes
in tax laws and the need to specially cater for non-interest finance by
ensuring a level playing field.
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