Unilever Nigeria Plc has disclosed that it would set up new plants within the country to further enhance local manufacturing.
The president, Africa-Unilever, Mr Bruno Witvoet in a meeting with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and a separate meeting with the minister for Trade and Investment and the minister for State for Trade and Investment, Prof Okey Enelamah and Mrs Aisha Abubakar, in Abuja recently revealed the company’s plans to further increase its investment in the country.
According to the Unilever president, the company is working on its backward integration plans, driving towards 100 per cent local sourcing over time.
“Our plans for increased investment will also bring about employment opportunities in the country as workers will be recruited for the new production line, and in the farms for the production and sourcing of local raw materials.”
Appreciating what he described as good initiative from Unilever, the Senate president, Bukola Saraki assured that the present administration was serious about its policy on diversification of the economy, while the National Assembly was also reviewing some extant laws to make the country a business-friendly destination.
The local sourcing of the raw materials he stated, will help provide a ready market for some local produce and thus provide farmers with the needed encouragement and empowerment.
Saraki noted that the National Assembly is resolved to give its support to ensure that policies are made consistent and also to provide all the incentives that are required to ensure that business and investors are encouraged to make the kind of investments promised by Unilever.
“What we are trying to do as much as possible is to see how we can diversify and increase the supply side for import substitution and the demand is huge. One of the concerns being raised is whether these policies are going to be consistent. And I say, yes, it will,” he noted.
While the minister for Trade and Investment, Prof Okey Enelamah also corroborated the words of the Senate president, stating that the current administration prides itself high on integrity, good governance, provision of a secure environment, economic progress and a commitment to sound policies and is ready to providing a fertile environment for investors to do legitimate business in the country.
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