Date: 2009-06-25

The 2009 Netherlands Business and Investments Forum for Governors kicked off in The Hague with speakers acknowledging the Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki’s exploit in the areas of Agriculture, Education, Commerce, Health and Infrastructural Development.

 Joop Berkhout, an European economic expert, in his paper at the forum attended by over 200 Dutch companies, Nigerian Business community and some State Governors, said the Commercial Farming initiative of the Kwara State Government was capable of addressing poverty and food crisis in Nigeria.

 He also commended Saraki for his role in revamping the moribund Jebba Paper Mills which is today the only functioning Paper Mills in West Africa.

 Like other speakers, Berkhout further extolled the governor’s commitment to infrastructural  development, noting that he has taken the bull by the horns with the Clean and Green Programme and his outstanding achievement in the Community Health Insurance Scheme that has become a reference point in primary heath care policies in Nigeria.

The experts specifically praised Governor Saraki for establishing the Kwara State University, noting that it would promote manpower development in the State and urged other governors to emulate him for the overall development of the country.

In his presentation, Governor Saraki disclosed that the State University would have a special study unit in order to reduce the number of students travelling abroad to acquire knowledge.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dr (Mrs) Nimota Akanbi said the forum was organised to reinvigorate the existing bi-lateral relationship between Nigeria and the Netherlands .

The envoy disclosed that Nigeria is the largest destination of foreign direct investment from the Netherlands and the second largest market for Netherlands products in Africa.

According to her, the Business and Investment Forum was to compliment the Seven-Point Agenda of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

 She explained that the Dutch investors would continue to seek more grounds in the country because Nigeria remains the most populous country in Africa, adding that the Seven-Point Agenda of the Federal Government would help to transform Nigeria into a vibrant and diversified economy.

She further stressed that if the on-going reforms of Federal Government stays on track over the next ten years, Nigeria has the realistic chance of joining the G20.

Ambassador Akanbi however, assured prospective investors from Netherlands of a safe business environment in Nigeria.

25/06/09