FG committed to boosting non-oil exports – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to do all within its powers to facilitate and encourage the rapid diversification of Nigeria’s economy.

The president stated this in Abuja at the send-forth ceremony of the outgoing Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nigeria, Jaroslav Siro. Jonathan declared that his administration was fully committed to moving the Nigerian economy away from dependence on crude oil exports by promoting the development of the country’s non-oil sectors.

He said that in keeping with the commitment, the Federal Government was actively exploring all avenues of boosting trade and economic relations with other countries in areas not related to the oil and gas sector.

Jonathan commended Siro, who served in Nigeria for over five years, for his efforts to enhance bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Czech Republic.

He said the efforts had resulted in the tripling of the volume of trade between the two countries. Although, the Czech Republic does not import crude oil from Nigeria, the annual volume of non-oil trade between the two countries currently stands at 100 million dollars.