Foreign news
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja Celebrates 95th National Day, Strengthening Remarkable Growth in Bilateral Ties with Nigeria
By Joel Ajayi
The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja commemorated the 95th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Dunes Center, Maitama, Abuja.
The event gathered an esteemed group of government officials, heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of international organizations, prominent businessmen, and other distinguished guests.
In his address, the Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Saad Fahad Almarri, recalled the significance of the occasion, marking 95 years since King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud unified the Kingdom, and reflected on the remarkable journey of growth and development that has followed.
He emphasized that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains steadfast in advancing the ambitions outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, which reflects the nation’s aspiration to build a prosperous economy, a vibrant society, and an ambitious nation.
Mr. Almarri further highlighted the remarkable growth in bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Republic of Nigeria across various sectors, including trade, education, and combating drug trafficking.
He disclosed that trade volume between the two countries has exceeded $600 million, while hundreds of Nigerian students have benefited from scholarships awarded by the Kingdom.
The Chargé d’Affaires expressed the Kingdom’s deep appreciation to the people and government of Nigeria, stressing the shared commitment between the two countries to continue fostering a broader horizon of partnership and integration.
Mr. Almarri concluded his speech by noting the Kingdom’s successful bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow,” describing it as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s international stature and its capability to organize and host major global events.
Foreign news
Pakistan Moves to Deepen Diplomatic, Economic Relations With Nigeria
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has called for deeper diplomatic and economic ties with the Nigerian government to foster development for both countries.
Mr Rana Ihsaan, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during his working vist to Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
NAN reports that the visiting Coordinator held a closed-door meeting with Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
After the meeting, he said that both both sides had agreed on deepening relations in the areas of trade and commerce, among others.
Ihsaan said that both countries must see the need to accelerate efforts towards a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
He said that Pakistan had already submitted a draft BTA and was awaiting Nigeria’s response.
According to him, discussions centered on easing visa processes, expanding educational exchanges, and strengthening Cooperation in sectors such as Minerals, Youth training, and Defence were highlighted.
Ihsaan said that Pakistan had already implemented visa-on-arrival for Nigerians at no cost, and urged Nigeria to reciprocate to enhance people-to-people ties.
He stressed the importance of high-level engagements between both nations, describing Nigeria and Pakistan as very similar countries with large populations, youthful demographics, and vast economic potentials.
“Deeper collaboration will unlock opportunities in trade, education and investment, while further solidifying long-standing diplomatic relations,” he said.
He said that aside from visiting the foriegn Minister and other top government officials in Nigeria, he was also in the country to attend the on-going West Africa Beauty Exhibition holding in Lagos.
He described the exhibition as one of the continent’s largest cosmetic fairs, adding that he led a delegation of 19 Pakistani business people exploring Nigeria’s estimated 10 million dollar beauty and cosmetics market.
Ihsaan said that Nigeria was a gateway to Africa, adding that Pakistani products, like cosmetics, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Food items and Sports goods were already gaining traction in the country.
He encouraged Pakistani exhibitors to establish offices, Warehouses and logistics partnerships to strengthen their foothold in the Nigerian market.
Ihsaan further addressed concerns from Nigerian businesses on the ease of doing business in Pakistan.
He said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan had been supporting Nigerian participants at major exhibitions to achieve the ease of doing business.
“The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) serves as a one-stop platform for Nigerians interested in investing in Pakistan,” he said
Culled from NAN
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