50 French firms to visit Nigeria next week

A delegation of 50 heads of French companies are expected to visit Nigeria next week to explore business opportunities and establish bilateral links in the country, the French Embassy said on Friday. A statement by the First Counsellor, Political Affairs and Communication, Embassy of France, Georges Vanin, said the business delegation was the first of its kind from France to any African country.
The statement said the delegation was organised by the Movement of the Enterprises of France, France’s leading network of entrepreneurs and the largest employer federation with 800,000 member firms.
According to it, the French companies on the delegation include those in the building, transportation, environment, energy and sustainable cities sectors.
“The largest economy and the largest population on the continent, the middle class is emerging in Nigeria, which demand new infrastructural facilities and equipment, but also in services and leisure,” the statement read.
The statement quoted the President of MEDEF, Mr Pierre Gattaz, as saying Nigeria was a land of investments and development for French businesses.
“Nigeria is a land of investments and development for French companies. Africa is our new frontier. We are friends and have much to gain by building strong, confident and sustainable business relationships.
“Although, France has much to contribute to Africa, but Africa has so much to bring to France,” Gattaz said.
It added that Gattaz would lead the delegation of the 50 companies – small, medium or large – interested in the many opportunities of the Nigerian market.