Abbas seeks Korea’s investment in Nigeria’s energy, mining sectors
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has called for more trade and technological relationships between Nigeria and the Republic of South Korea.
He particularly called for more investment by the Asian country in Nigeria’s energy and mining sectors.
Abbas made the call when a delegation from South Korean Embassy to Nigeria and the 21st National Assembly of the Republic of South Korea visited him at his office in Abuja on Tuesday to seek Nigeria’s support for the Asian country’s World Expo 2023 hosting bid.
On the delegation were the Ambassador of South Korea to Nigeria Kim Young-Chae, who led officials of the Foreign Mission and the Special Envoy of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Korea, Hon. Lee Hun-Seung, who led members of the country’s parliament.
The Nigerian side were the Minority Whip, Ali Isa, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Abdulmumin Jibrin, and several members of the House.
In his remarks, Abbas expressed delight over the visit and noted the long-standing relations between Nigeria and South Korea resulting in different exchange of parliamentary programmes since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
He recalled that the 9th House established a Nigeria-South Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group to deepen exchange of ideas, legislative practices and procedure, as well as parliamentary exchange programmes for purposes of capacity development of members and staff.
He said: “There was a mutual understanding to initiate a treaty against double taxation on the businesses of both Nigeria and South Korea which, though passed by the National Assembly, was not assented to by the then President of Nigeria. The 10th House of Representatives will revisit the bill on double taxation to remove obstacles mitigating against smooth investments in both countries.
“The 10th House has also reconstituted the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Group to broaden our parliamentary relations and promote mutual understanding and cooperation in the areas of capacity development and investments.
Responding on behalf of the delegation, Hon. Hun-Seung, thanked Speaker Abbas for welcoming them with open arms.
He also congratulated Nigeria on the successful inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We have a purpose for this visit. The Speaker of National Assembly of South Korea sent us to ask for your assistance to successfully host the World Expo in Korea,” he stated.
According to him, the final vote on the hosting right for the global exhibition is coming up in September. “If you help us we will also help you,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to a strengthened collaboration between South Korea and Nigeria.
He alluded to the fact that Nigeria is South Korea’s largest trading partner on the African continent,as such he hailed Nigeria’s huge natural resources.
According to Hon. Hun-Seung, President Tinubu has been invited to the G20 meeting in New Delhi in September. He said the occasion would enable the South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol to interact with his Nigerian counterpart.
The South Korean lawmaker also noted that Korea-Africa Summit scheduled for next year would help to lay a new foundation of relationship between his country and Nigeria.
