By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike has called for improved economic relationship between Turkiye and Nigeria.
This is as the Minister commended the Turkiye Envoy to Nigeria for expediting the process of obtaining visa by Nigerian bussinessmen particularly residents of Abuja which had been quite worrisome before now.
Wike stated this while receiving in audience the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy who paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.
He said by making the process of obtaining visa much easier, travels for economic engagement becomes easier too.
He said: “So now that you have said you have taken steps, we commend that. And so that also businessmen who want to go to Turkiye will not find it difficult. So, we are very glad for that and we continue to encourage you.
“So we are still available to do whatever you think we should do for you”.
“And we would like to see how we can partner with them (Türkiye’s businessmen) to improve economic relations.
“I know there are a lot of Turkish nationals who are here carrying out one business or the other. It is our intention to provide a free environment where citizens, without molestation, can carry out their businesses.
“So, we think we can partner with you. If there are things in particular you believe that you need assistance from the administration, do not hesitate to approach us.
“We will be able to help and also explore ways in which the FCT can cooperate and benefit in terms of economic ties with the city of Istanbul or any other city that can have very good economic ties with us”, the Minister stated.
Earlier, Poroy, the Türkiye Ambassador to Nigeria, who was accompanied by the Turkish Secretary of Embassy on the visit, noted that he had arrived Nigeria almost six months ago, but he is still waiting to present his letter of credence to the Presidency, said he is allowed to visit Ministers, and the FCT Minister is first to be visited.
He added that the economic aspects of the two countries’ bilateral relations are maybe the most important part of deepening bilateral relations with Nigeria.
According to him, following the decision to facilitate issuance of visa to Nigerians, Türkiye authorities are at the stage of completing the bureaucratic process, which will be also an important step in the future for its relations.
“Because, we are very much behind the potential that two big countries have for increasing bilateral trade. As a first step, with the decision of my authorities, we have facilitated visa procedures for the businessmen, so they can travel easily. We do not have anymore to ask to Ankara for their visa.
“At the embassy, we can give directly under certain conditions for their visa. So, this is an important first step to facilitate people-to-people, businessman-to-businessman contact between the two countries. Of course, we are working with relevant ministries and institutions.
“We have two commercial counselors. They are active also. And we also work with my authorities at this moment, in order to open concretely our consul general in Lagos.
“Taking this opportunity, Honorable Minister, let me thank you also on behalf of myself as well as my colleagues, who live in Abuja, because your services, people, and institutions under your authority, are providing all the services that we enjoy”, he stressed.
