16 September 2012, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Nigerian Ambassador to Czech Republic, Mrs Catherine Okon, has harped on the need for Nigeria and Czech Republic to strengthen their economic ties.
Okon spoke while presenting her letter of credence to President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic at the Presidential Castle in Prague, the Nigerian Mission said in a statement.
She also stressed the need for the two countries to collaborate closely in technology, security and economic development.
“With a population of over 140 million people, Nigeria has the largest market in the West African sub-region,” she stated.
Okon informed Klaus that the Nigerian Government had recorded progress in electricity sector reform, revamping of decaying infrastructure and entrenchment of democracy and good governance.
She said that Nigeria had also raised the stakes in combating financial crimes, drugs trafficking and terrorism.
The ambassador solicited the assistance of the European country in capacity building for Nigerian security personnel to tackle Nigeria’s current security problems.
Klaus said that his country being an export-oriented economy welcomed closer ties with Nigeria as a way of enhacing its strategic interest in sub-Saharan Africa.
He expressed his delight with ongoing reforms in the Nigerian economy, urging Czech businessmen to take advantage of the new opportunities to boost trade and investment between Czech Republic and Nigeria.
