All is set for Nigeria’s participation at the China Mining Congress and Expo holding from 23rd to 25th September, 2017, at the Meijiang Convention in Tianjin, China.
Business Hilights gathered in Abuja on Wednesday, that the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development will, on the side lines of the Expo, host an investment forum.
As one of the world’s largest mineral investment, cooperation and trading platforms, the China Mining Congress and Expo covers the whole value chain, including geological surveying, exploration development, mining rights and mineral trading, mineral processing and smelting techniques, mining equipment and services.
The conference will also provide government officials, industry leaders and experts from both countries and foreign mining industries with in-depth dialogues on questions related with the mining industry.
Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Bawa Bwari, who is leading Nigerian delegation to the expo, will deliver an address at one of the main congress sessions as well as at the Nigeria-China Mining Investment Forum organised by the ministry.
The ministry said the Forum would provide platform for interaction between Nigerian and Chinese investors in the mining industry.
This is coming few days after the government bumped on a strange mining company in the north which was said to have evaded taxes amounting to over N100b since its illicit operations.
The discovery, according to observers shows that government may not have been in total control of the sector as there may be other companies still doing similar illegal mining activities in some parts of the country.
Several industry experts who barred their minds on the China Expo said there are several backgrounds profiling the ministry ought to have done before now so that it will be in total control of the sector before seeking foreign investors.
However, government noted that the Forum would also be window for showcasing to potential Chinese investors, the investment opportunities in the mining sector in Nigeria and existing incentives and enabling legislations. Government officials and companies of the two countries will network to review existing areas of cooperation and explore new areas of cooperation.
