China invested $1.79b in Nigeria in 2013 – Envoy

The Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Liu Kan, on Wednesday said that China’s non-financial direct investments in Nigeria in 2013 stood at $1.79 billion (about N293.5 billion).
Liu told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the investments were mainly those of Chinese companies involved in free trade zone, petroleum, iron and steel, manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
He said: “The main investors, which are more than 40 companies, include China National Offshore Oil Corporation, China National Petroleum Corporation and China Railway Construction Corporation.
“The Chinese Government will continue to encourage and support Chinese companies’ investment in Nigeria.”
The envoy, who did not give statistics of the companies’ investment in 2012, said that their investments in Nigeria would increase in the future.
Liu said that the Chinese Government was committed to supporting Nigerian Government’s efforts at attracting foreign investment.
The consul-general noted that both countries had over the years achieved mutual benefits in areas of cooperation.
He listed the areas of cooperation to include politics, economy, agriculture, infrastructure, communication, cultural exchange and education.