A trade delegation from Brazil said the country is ready to strengthen trade relations with Nigeria because of its “very important” position in ECOWAS.
 
The delegation, which is composed of businessmen from different sectors of the Brazilian economy, said its investments in Nigeria would focus on rice production, housing, waste recycling with the introduction of state-of-the-art equipment and modern technology.

Head of the delegation, Mr Evaldo Silva, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bulus Lolo.

“Nigeria occupies a very important position in ECOWAS while Brazil also occupies a strategic position in its region. We want to use that advantage to strengthen trade relations between the two countries,” Silva said.

On rice production, “Brazil, being the largest producer of rice in South America while Nigeria being the largest consumer of rice in Africa, we want to help Nigeria develop rice production and also initiate discussion about rice supply to meet up with extra demands,” he said.

Silva also disclosed that the Brazilian housing project called “My House My Life” which provides housing to the poor and low income earners would be replicated in Nigeria to tackle the country’s housing deficit.

On his part, a senior official of the ministry, Ambassador Ozo Nwobu, who spoke on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, told the businessmen that their investment focus is timely because housing and accommodation remains a challenge not only in Nigeria but also in most of its sub-regions.

While assuring them of the Federal Government’s support, he said “This is a momentous time for us in Nigeria and Nigerians must be ready to work with developmental partners who will really give us that impetus for change we are clamouring for.”