By Olawunmi Ashafa
Mr Andy Liu, the Representative and Head of Mission of the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, says his country is ready to further collaborate with Nigeria on achieving its development goals.
Liu, who made the statement at a news conference in Lagos on Sunday , expressed his country’s willingness to support Nigeria to grow its non-oil sector , to catalyse economic development.
While highlighting the progress made by both countries in establishing democratic systems,the diplomat said Nigeria could benefit from Taiwan’s investments in education, information technology and other critical sectors.
Liu said that Taiwan and Nigeria had overcome significant challenges and had achieved notable successes, which could serve as reference for other nations.
According to him, rather than wanting others to repeat their mistakes, Taiwan aims to share its experiences so that countries can assess whether the models are suitable for their own unique conditions, environment, resources, and economic development plans.
He stressed the need for a practical and cautious approach to Nigeria’s development, noting that Taiwan relies not only on the goodwill of the Nigerian government but also on its own preparedness.
Liu expressed the hope that the Nigerian government would initiate discussions in areas of interest with Taiwan, stressing the importance of aligning goals and objectives for a successful collaboration.
The diplomat also highlighted the importance of considering various factors such as industry, global economic and trade needs when aspiring for a better nation.
“These factors directly impact trading and policy-making, including education policy.
“The Taiwanese government understands that education is a fundamental requirement for a skilled workforce and has thus prioritised its development,” he added.
According to Liu, basic education lays the foundation for vocational training and higher education to align with each other, and plays a crucial role in equipping the new generation with the technical skills required by society.
Liu commended Nigeria’s policies concerning effective communication and transportation networks, including construction of quality roads and railways.
He said that Nigeria’s commitment to developing its railway, highway, and communication network is of utmost importance.
The diplomat said he admired how Nigerian people had embraced digital communication, evident in their increased usage of mobile phones, internet connectivity, and online platforms like Jumia and Konga.
According to him, the rise of e-commerce and digital services showcases the power and potential of utilising smartphones and other mobile devices for business and communication purposes.
Liu encouraged Nigeria to continue strengthening its digital infrastructure and seize the opportunities presented by the digital economy.
He said that leveraging Taiwan’s expertise in this area could benefit not only Nigeria ,but also other African countries.
The diplomat said collaborations with Taiwan could contribute positively to the economies of African nations.
“Our embassy in the Kingdom of Eswatini has been there for over 55 years. We have built a huge mission outside of the embassy.
“We have built a Technical Assistance Mission, medical mission, agriculture mission, vocational training and others.
“So, the Kingdom of Eswatini benefited from Taiwan’s assistance for almost 30 to 40 years. So, that kingdom is a good window of Taiwan; how Taiwan can help by providing our development model.” he said. (NAN)
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