By Sunday Oyinloye
Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Joanna Tarnawska has expressed her country’s interest in identifying areas of cooperation with Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), to facilitate the interests of Polish investors in Nigeria.
The Ambassador who describes Nigeria as a thriving investment destination however notes negative perception of Nigeria by foreign media and small number of Polish investors in Nigeria.
Speaking when Ag. Executive Secretary/CEO, NIPC Emeka Offor and his team paid her a courtesy visit at the Polish Embassy in Abuja, weekend, Joanna revealed that another challenge Polish investors are facing is identifying credible companies to collaborate with in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a favourable place in general for business and other forms of activities, but Polish investors simply do not know how and where to start,” she said.
In his response, Offor assured the Ambassador that NIPC would support in building awareness and improving investment relations between Poland and Nigeria.
On ascertaining the credibility of companies, the Acting Executive Secretary stated, “What we always suggest is that prospective investors talk to NIPC first so that we can handhold them; take them through the process.
“If there are needs to take them to attend certain meetings with regulators, other government agencies or State Governors, we will willingly handhold them and ensure that they are in safe hands,” he said.
Offor disclosed that in line with Nigeria’s e-government initiative, NIPC launched an e-OSIC platform which grants access to NIPC’s one stop shop remotely, to further ease doing business in Nigeria.
Recall that in 2017, NIPC took a lead role in pitching Nigeria’s investment prospects at the Polish-Nigeria Trade and Investment Forum in Poznan and at the Polish National Assembly.
The event which was organised with the Centre for Polish and African Affairs of the Poznan University of Communication and Management and Polish – Nigeria Trade & Investment Forum (PONTIF), was set up to increase bilateral trade and investment between both countries; after which some Polish investors visited Nigeria to pursue business interests.
The Head, Press and Protocol unit of NIPC, Daniel Awurum quoted Ambassador Joanna Tarnawska to have committed to a formal visit to NIPC in February, to firm up details of improving the trade and investment relationship between Nigeria and Poland.
