Swiss companies create 10,000 jobs in Nigeria

Mr Johann Schneider-Ammann,the visiting Swiss Confederation’s Minister of Economy, Education and Research on Friday said that Swiss companies in Nigeria had so far created about 10,000 job opportunities for Nigerians.

The minister said that his delegation was in Nigeria to explore new areas of economic cooperation between Nigeria and Switzerland, as more Swiss companies were becoming interested in Nigeria.

‘’ We currently have about 50 different Swiss companies operating in Nigeria, mainly in Lagos, which have provided about 10,000 job opportunities to Nigerians.

‘’ The important side of my delegation highlights the interest that Nigeria is currently getting from Swiss companies.

‘’ There are also new companies on this delegation that have come to see the business and investment opportunities for them in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Schneider-Ammann said that his delegation was composed of grand officials, members of parliament representing different Swiss political parties, scientists, representatives of different SwissCantons and companies.

The minister expressed optimism that with the successes by long existing Swiss companies in Nigeria, the new companies would also have similar experiences doing business and investing in the country.

He said that some of the existing Swiss companies in Nigeria, in spite of the recent challenges in the country, still opened new branches.

Schneider-Ammann said the agreement signed by Nigeria and Switzerland on Joint Economic Cooperation would strengthen bilateral trade between both countries in the years ahead.

“We would continue to encourage our companies to explore the manifold business opportunities between our two countries.

“We will continue to take positive steps on the institutional levels to deepen the level of our economic relations in the years ahead,’’ he said.

The Consul General of Switzerland in Lagos Mr. Yves Nicolet-dit-Félix, also restated the commitment of the Swiss companies to increasing their businesses and investment in Nigeria.

Nicolet-dit-Félix said that the Consulate General would continue to facilitate economic relations between both countries and function as a trade and investment point to help small and medium sizeenterprises.