Nigeria would assist China in maintaining robust digital economy – Shettima

On Wednesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima declared that Nigeria would keep helping China develop a sustainable digital economy.

This was said by Shettima during his remarks at the third summit of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which took place in Beijing on October 18 and 19.

On the country’s 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the vice president praised China.

According to him, the project had a significant impact on infrastructure development not just in China but also around the world.

“The BRI has made groundbreaking discoveries and outstanding accomplishments, particularly in the area of infrastructure.

“The Belt and Road Initiative’s successes show China’s dedication to leveraging collaboration and the UN’s efforts to promote economic development.

“Specifically, BRI has been a major contributor to the implementation of the UN 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals for the prosperity of the people in every economy.”

Shettima stated that the globe had been witnessing new approaches and global dimensions to governance through digital technology when speaking on the digital economy.

Shettima claims that through the process of cross-border trade, the digital economy has significantly contributed to accelerating global economic development and recovery.

“As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic-related economic crisis, it is imperative that developing economies implement digital transformation practises.

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“Especially, in the aspects of manufacturing, agriculture, retail, human capacity building, as well as medical and health care, in order to achieve any meaningful and sustainable development.”

He praised China for using digital seed growth as a means of expanding the scope of international economic cooperation.

Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa and the continent’s most populated nation, is not an exception to the worldwide shift towards a digital economy.

Through the creation and application of digitally oriented policies, we hope to maintain our position at the top of the food chain.

Although Nigeria established a digital strategy policy in November 2019, Shettima stated that the government would take all appropriate steps to reform and reposition the country’s digital economy so that it becomes a leader.

He named the strategic pillars of the policy as being the development of skills, digital literacy, sub-infrastructure, service infrastructure, digital society, emerging technologies, and indigenous economy.

These are a component of the Federal Government’s initiative to quicken Nigeria’s economy’s diversification and boost productivity in vital industries through technological innovation.

The Federal Government wants to hasten Nigeria’s development as a technical telehub and talent exporter by using this strategic blueprint.

“From 2023 to 2027, one of the tele-hub’s objectives is to train three million people early to fill career technical talent gaps; Nigeria has a unique opportunity to utilise the hub.

The vice president continued, “Our proximity to Europe and proficiency in English are further advantages towards repositioning our economy.

Nigeria, a trading partner of the majority of BRI nations, he said, will keep working with the group to bring about a good change to advance the expansion of the global economy through collaboration with the global South.

Shettima thanked China for its support of Nigeria and praised Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people for the friendly ties that already exist between their two countries.

The minister of foreign affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Amb. Baba Jidda, the ambassador of Nigeria to China, and other individuals joined the vice president to the ceremony. (NAN)