France promises prompt visa to genuine Nigerian entrepreneurs

Genuine Nigerian entrepreneurs willing to establish businesses in France will not have issues with obtaining visas, according to Laurent Polonceaux, consul general of the French Embassy in Lagos.

According to Polonceaux, easing visa processes for Nigerian businessmen would strengthen the trade relationship between Nigeria and France, adding that he would ensure better economic relationship between both countries.

“This will be a year of challenges, as is already the case with business control measures. But sharing information is one way to deal with this kind of uncertainties,” he said, at the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) press briefing held at the embassy in Lagos.

Oye Hassan- Odukale, chairman, FNCCCI, said the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry now has a new spirit and dynamism, adding that the chamber is having a robust response from French partners up to the highest level.

“Nigeria will face difficult times but we need our partners to be with us,” Hassan- Odukale said.

“We have a new dynamism and the chamber is changing for the better. Our target is to ensure that this translates into a better business relationship between Nigeria and France,” he said.

Francis Widmer, head, Regional Economic Department and economic counsellor of France’s embassy in Nigeria, said France is interested in increasing Foreign Direct Investment t into Nigeria, adding that trade between both countries currently stands at €5.6 billion.

Widmer said he wants to ensure that Nigerian businessmen invest in France while French investors pump money into the Nigerian economy.

Esther Gambe, general manager, Franco-Nigerian Chamber, said in 2016, the chamber will be working on increasing the visibility of member organisations through the introduction of a ‘New Product Listing Module’ on its website, social media and through digital e-mail solution.

“We are also working hard on aligning with key government agencies so as to ensure that member organisations have ease in doing business. We are working on improving our communication to members and ensure that all members are kept abreast on happenings in the economy and the chamber,” Gambe said.

She said the FNCCI will be launching the maiden edition of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) project tagged ‘Championat de Langue’, targeted at equipping the Nigerian youth with French language skills in order to enhance cultural relationship between both countries.

Rashid Orounla, project manager, Proparco, said the organisation invests in manufacturing, agribusiness and infrastructure, among others, adding that it has invested in the IPP project in the country called Azura.

ODINAKA ANUDU