By Daniel Eteghe
LAGOS—President of the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Marcel Hochet, has said that France was committed to further boost the business partnership between her and Nigeria in bringing greater development to the country.

Addressing newsmen at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island Lagos, in readiness for the French Week slated for November 23 to 25, Mr. Hochet  stressed that although there was a strong economic and industrial relationship between France and Nigeria over the past 25 years, there was still the need to further strengthen such relationships.

He  added that the strong technologies in France in the areas of electricity, oil and gas, and infrastructures had immensely helped most Nigeria’s companies to develop their own businesses which in turn boost development in Nigeria.

He noted that the trade relationship between France and Nigeria had been excellent over the years since both countries engaged in commercial transaction across national boundaries, stressing that since the inception of such relationship, many French delegates had visited Nigeria and vice versa.

that of Nigeria has also visited France with the view of improving the growth of development in both countries.

“ The trade relationship between France and Nigeria is excellent; we have very good relationship between the two heads of states.

I would like to remind you that Former President Musa Yar’adu came to France in June 2008 and there was a strategic partnership established between the two countries at that time and since then we have seen many states delegations from both countries so we have seen the Prime Minister of France coming to Nigeria.

We have seen many ministers and we have also seen many delegations of Nigeria coming to France, so the trade relationship is excellent and I think that all these events that we are organizing here will bring good outcome for both countries and I am sure that France is committed to the development of Nigeria in many areas“ he affirmed.

Mr Huchet pointed out that the volume of trade between Nigeria and France has greatly increased over the years with France having a purchase of about 3billion Euros in Nigeria while Nigeria had about 1.8billion Euros purchase import from France.

According to him, Nigeria stands to gain a lot in the business relationship in the area of power, oil and gas, in the area of infrastructural development and other lucrative areas that would boost the development of Nigeria adding that France has a lot to offer to the African continent and especially Nigeria.

“Now that Nigeria is playing a key role in the continent due to his population and also due to his natural resources and therefore France and Europe are looking at Nigeria now with a new eye and I can tell you that from the 34th G8 summit that was held in 7-9th July in 2008 lot is been done and we have French delegation of captain of industry that are coming early in December this year to Nigeria to make further discussion in very high level in many areas like in the power sectors, the industries, oil and gas and there will be big companies as well as medium scale companies so I am quite optimistic about a greater future and development for Nigeria“ he added.

The president further noted that the event would be used as an avenue in celebrating the 25th anniversary because there was a lot that needs to be done to strengthen the business relationship between the two countries adding that there was need to improve the infrastructures and to make the business environment conducive as this would boost development in Nigeria.