A delegation of German businessmen led by the Vice Consul-General of Germany to Nigeria, Mr Jochen Schindelarz, met with the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday, during which they promised more investment in the state.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Mr Schindelarz expressed his excitement at the assurance by Governor Fubara to sustain a safe environment for their various investments in the state and ensure that they are protected.
The governor, during the closed-door meeting also attended by Mr Sebastian Glaeser of the German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, said his administration was not only establishing strong investment-driven relationships with the German government but had also ensured a safe climate for businesses to thrive in the state.
According to the Vice Consul-General of Germany to Nigeria, Governor Fubara’s assurance was the “main point, and I think it is the most important thing the governor can do for us because if investments are not protected and safe, there won’t be any investment.
“So, this is what I take away from this meeting, and all these are the basis of good investment. I think we will establish a good partnership, and it will motivate our companies to invest here.”
The team leader of the delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, Mr Sebastian Glaeser, said there is now a mutual agreement for more business representatives of Rivers State to be sponsored to Europe to showcase investment opportunities.
Mr Glaeser informed me that both the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (PHACCIMA) and the German Chamber have been tasked with facilitating such business visits that will facilitate increased direct foreign investments in the state.
“Our investment in oil and gas is already working because last year a big contract was signed for energy supply.
“Now, the next step is to also go beyond oil to hydrogen, into agriculture, and into industrial products, and we are looking forward to that.
“Coming to Europe on trade fares, on road shows, at conferences, or in business forums to present the opportunities here is important.
“Such visits by industry leaders to see what is there and then to figure out how you can merge those with the richness of Rivers State is good.”