Envoy woos Czech investors, seeks Skoda's return

THE Ambassador of the Nigeria to the Czech Republic, Catherine Okon, has called on the Czech business community to take advantage of abundant raw materials by establishing cottage industries in the country.Okon, who spoke in Abuja on her experience in Czech Republic on assumption of duties, also stated that she equally extended the invitation to her hosts in Prague, during her maiden meeting with the country's Foreign Minister, Karel Schwarzenberg, who is also the country's Deputy Prime Minister.The duo met shortly after the Nigerian envoy submitted her Letter of Credence to the Czech President, Vaclav Klaus, at the Presidential Castle in Prague.'His Excellency, the Foreign Minister, asked me what Nigeria wanted from the Czech Republic and in what areas both countries could work together. My request is that I want you, the government and the Czech business community to come and invest in Nigeria, not just to take away the abundant raw materials available, but add to the value chain.'We would welcome your investment in small and medium enterprises in Nigeria, and there are lots of those cottage industries, where you would help to empower the youth and put them to work.'She highlighted that Nigeria is also desirous of maintaining the cordial relationship of education institutions in both countries.'We are also desirous to sustain an interface between Czech institutions of higher learning and Nigerian universities and use the Students' Exchange Programme to popularize the Czech education system in Nigeria,' she said.Okon said that she also allayed the fears of the Czech Republic about the security challenges in the country, assuring the Minister that any investment was safe and secure in Nigeria.She said: 'I assured the Czech government that the security challenge is a localized issue, which is being addressed vigorously by the Federal Government,' noting that she also discussed the possible resuscitation of the Skoda car franchise in the country.'The Skoda car is very popular in Czech Republic, the original manufacturers. The Skoda franchise is under utilized in Nigeria. It was bought over by the Volkswagen Germany. But we want the car manufacturing firm to set up a plant in Nigeria to teach Nigerians the needed technology to produce the car locally at a more affordable price. Its current franchise by the Mandilas Group is under-utilised at the moment. Many Nigerians are looking up for job opportunities.'Okon quoted the Foreign Minister/Deputy Prime Minister as saying that 'Nigeria is very important to the Czech Republic. We will do our best to introduce the Czech trade and business community to the Nigerian market.
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