The transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan has yielded a positive result as not less than 50 Dutch companies have indicated their interest to either start or expand their businesses in Nigeria, especially the textile sector. Nigerian Ambassador to The Netherlands, Dr. Mrs. Nimota Akanbi facilitated the Foreign Direct Investment, FDI into Nigeria at the just concluded Business and Investment Forum attended by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga in The Netherlands. Specifically, Nigerian Pilot gathered that the textile giant, Vlisco Group Netherlands revealed that it was ready to acquire not less than four of the ailing textile factories in the Lagos axis of the country even as the company is also set to establish tailoring academies to train hundreds of Nigerians. Managing Director of the group, Hans Oujendendijk said besides sourcing of cotton locally to stimulate the economy, Woodin brand fabrics would be printed in Nigeria factory while Vlisco would acquire and revamp some factories in Nigeria. Hans disclosed that 1000 direct and 10000 indirect jobs would be created in Nigeria, stressing that “it is a catalyst to kick starts the Nigerian fashion industry”. “Woodin would be manufactured in Nigeria with an output of more than 10million yards annually. We are also to establishing Vlisco Regional office in the country and 50 retail stores”, he explained. It was learnt that the minister and the ambassador also held a meeting with top management of APM Terminal Netherlands led by Christian Moller Laursen who said his company would be constructing a multi billion naira multipurpose port in Badagry while expansion work on Apapa would cost more than 100million dollars. Dozens of other companies also indicated their interest to invest in Nigeria at the Business and Investment Forum which attracted hundreds of investors from both counties. Aganga who was excited about the development said job creation is one of the major priorities of the federal government, adding that it will be ready to encourage any investor ready to create jobs for Nigerians. In her remarks, Ambassador Akanbi commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his efforts at turning the economy around, and promised to continue to woo foreign investors into the country in line with the federal government’s transformation agenda.
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