By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, were said to have signed two agreements on Thursday in Paris, France.
It is hoped that these agreements will ensure a partnership on the development of critical infrastructure and the long-term sustenance of agriculture and food security, a Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement.
The statement also said that earlier, Mr. Tinubu and Mr. Macron witnessed the signing of the agreement by the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, and the French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, Antoine Armand, for the bank to commence operations in Paris.
This is just as Zenith Bank also inaugurated its services in the country during the visit.
Regarding the partnership agreements, the statement informed that they were signed at an economic forum attended by businessmen, captains of industry, governors, and some top government officials of both countries at the Palais des Elysée in Paris, France, held during President Tinubu’s state visit.
The two countries committed to forge a strategic relationship in project implementation and enhance mutual trade and cross border services by removing fiscal barriers while protecting labour rights.
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and Mr Armand, were said to have signed the Letter of Intent.
It reads further: “The two countries affirmed their commitment to work together on investment and development of critical infrastructure, healthcare transportation, agricultural value chain, renewable energy, and human capital development, through diverse financial and technical assistance programmes, of over Є300million spread across all geopolitical zones in the country.
“The two countries committed to forge a strategic relationship in project implementation and enhance mutual trade and cross border services by removing fiscal barriers while protecting labour rights.”
Mr Edun, and Chief Executive Officer of the French Development Agency (AFD), Remi Rioux, signed another Letter of Intent to support the Renewed Hope Agenda reforms designed to stimulate and strengthen the economy.
“The Declaration set out the enduring relationship between the AFD and the FRN, and the AFD’s continuing commitment to support the socio-economic growth of Nigeria.
“(This will be done) through financing sustainable projects in urban infrastructure development, transportation network, housing infrastructure, human capital development through improved education specifically in STEM, agriculture, food security and healthcare.
“The AFD reaffirmed its commitment to long-term support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President on energy access and transition, sustainable agriculture and food security by financing the improvement of agro-logistic hubs. Importantly, the AFD committed to supporting the real sector by providing capital from MSME in high-impact sectors.
“The Federal Republic of Nigeria also affirmed its support for the projects financed by the AFD and committed to ensure that the implementation of the projects are expedited efficiently.”
