FG has a big task of improving brand image of Nigeria to pull investors—PwC boss
The Chief Economist at PricewaterCoppers Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Nevin has traced the major drawbacks of the country in achieving the needed foreign direct investments inflow as soon as possible.
In an interview, he said in whatever government and Nigerians are doing to push ease of doing business, greater effort should be made in the area of driving a strong and attractive image for the country especially to attract deep pocket investors who have not come to Nigeria before.
Whereas government needs to double efforts in retaining existing foreign investors by making ease of doing business seamless, it also needs to make the operating environment conducive for indigenous investors.
He said economy is solely run by either local or foreign investors so government needs to balance enabling environment for both parties to flourish.
Continuing, Nevin averred that Nigeria need to introduce policies that will be dedicated to driving business friendliness.
“We need to become more business friendly to become effectively attractive to the international investors and business community,” he said.
On issues of regional integration, he reminded the federal government on the strategic importance of the abandoned Abidjan-Lagos superhighway designed to grow regional trade and integration, saying one of the best ways to deepen business development in the region is to complete the scheme.
Nevin also argued that government needs to raise the bar in the renewal and delivery new strategic infrastructure capable to driving the needed traffic in emerging businesses.
According to him, whereas government is pressing on key developed economies to invest in Nigeria, it is important to grow business relations with South Africa, revealing that “Currently, Nigeria and South Africa in several business issues see themselves as even competitors instead of partners”.
“I don’t think it will do us good to compete with South Africa in any kind of business than to collaborate because there is huge success in partnership than endless competition. I think our business relations with them are not currently too good and we are missing a lot.
