Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called for stronger trade and investment relations between the state and Norway, particularly in oil and gas, healthcare, education and other areas of mutual interest.
Fubara made the call on Thursday when the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Svein Bæra, paid a visit to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, said the longstanding stockfish trade between Norway and Nigeria could serve as a springboard for broader economic cooperation between the two countries.
He noted that the trade, which had existed for almost 100 years, remained a mutually beneficial economic relationship, adding that it could be expanded to other areas of international trade.
Fubara said, “That could be an entry point into us collaborating in other aspects of international trade.”
The governor described Rivers as the hub of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, saying the state was well positioned to explore business opportunities with Norwegian companies, especially in the development of downstream products for international markets.
He also identified education and healthcare as areas with potential for mutually beneficial partnerships between Rivers and Norway.
Fubara disclosed that the state had an agency responsible for investment and collaboration, which, he said, would engage the Norwegian Embassy to identify possible areas of cooperation.
He further urged the Norwegian delegation to interface with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and other relevant business associations to exchange views on existing opportunities and future prospects.
Welcoming the ambassador on behalf of the government and people of Rivers State, Fubara expressed optimism that the visit would open a new chapter in the relationship between Norway and the state.
Earlier, the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Svein Bæra, said the delegation was in Rivers to explore trade and investment opportunities, particularly in the stockfish and oil and gas sectors.
Bæra said the visit would also enable the delegation to engage stockfish importers in the state, with a view to deepening the existing relationship between Norway and Rivers.
He said engagements with key stakeholders would help identify areas of mutual economic interest and strengthen existing trade ties.
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