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Right to left: Mr Luqman Mamudu
(Director, Policy & Planning), Mr Alan R. Tousignant (US Counselor for Economic Affairs), Engr. Aminu Jalal (DG NAC), and Mr Joel A. Kopp(Economic Officer) in NAC DG’s office.
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Officials
from the Economic Affairs Department of the US Embassy in Nigeria on Thursday visited
the Headquarters of the National Automotive Council (NAC) in Abuja, a statement
by NAC said.
The
statement said the visit was like a follow-up to the recent visit of President
Muhammadu Buhari to the United States of America.
It said the officials went to make
enquiries on the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) with a
view to informing the investment decision of American government and its
business community.
enquiries on the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) with a
view to informing the investment decision of American government and its
business community.
The
Director General of NAC, Engr. Aminu Jalal and Director, Policy and Planning
Department, Mr Luqman Mamudu, received and briefed the visiting embassy
officials led by the Counsellor for Economic Affairs, Mr Alan R. Tousignant.
Director General of NAC, Engr. Aminu Jalal and Director, Policy and Planning
Department, Mr Luqman Mamudu, received and briefed the visiting embassy
officials led by the Counsellor for Economic Affairs, Mr Alan R. Tousignant.
Tousignant said that there had been an upsurge
in the amount of business enquiries from America shortly after the recent visit
of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States of America.
in the amount of business enquiries from America shortly after the recent visit
of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States of America.
He
said that, in recent times, there had been several business enquiries from
potential American investors relating directly to the Nigerian auto industry,
and therefore he needed to know more about applicable tariff structure.
said that, in recent times, there had been several business enquiries from
potential American investors relating directly to the Nigerian auto industry,
and therefore he needed to know more about applicable tariff structure.
He
also asked to know about incentives, availability of skilled
personnel, current total installed capacity, local value addition, industrial
clusters and infrastructures, applicable safety standards, annual national
vehicle demand, export potentials to other countries, amongst others.
also asked to know about incentives, availability of skilled
personnel, current total installed capacity, local value addition, industrial
clusters and infrastructures, applicable safety standards, annual national
vehicle demand, export potentials to other countries, amongst others.
According to the statement, Jalal
expressed appreciation to the US officials on their visit, presented them with
copies of the Nigerian Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) and answered all
questions and enquiries on the Auto Policy and general investment climate in
Nigeria.
expressed appreciation to the US officials on their visit, presented them with
copies of the Nigerian Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) and answered all
questions and enquiries on the Auto Policy and general investment climate in
Nigeria.
The
Director General said he was excited by the keen interest shown by American
companies and businessmen in the Nigerian Auto Industry; pointing out that
already, two American auto giants, Ford Motors and General Motors had confirmed
their interest to start vehicle assembly operations in Nigeria early next year.
Director General said he was excited by the keen interest shown by American
companies and businessmen in the Nigerian Auto Industry; pointing out that
already, two American auto giants, Ford Motors and General Motors had confirmed
their interest to start vehicle assembly operations in Nigeria early next year.
He
said Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy with a huge market for automobiles,
stressing that the auto industry policy was intended to transform Nigeria into
a major vehicle manufacturing hub for leveraging on Nigeria’s abundant
trainable labour force and material resources especially petro-chemical-based.
said Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy with a huge market for automobiles,
stressing that the auto industry policy was intended to transform Nigeria into
a major vehicle manufacturing hub for leveraging on Nigeria’s abundant
trainable labour force and material resources especially petro-chemical-based.
He
also said that with a population of over 170 million, Nigeria could not continue to
run an import dependent economy, the statement read.
also said that with a population of over 170 million, Nigeria could not continue to
run an import dependent economy, the statement read.
