FG’s partnership with private sector essential for development – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima says partnership with the private sector is essential for the country’s economic growth and development.

Shettima said this in Abuja on Wednesday at the closing of the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES30), with the theme: ”Collaborative Action for Growth, Competitiveness and Stability”.

Represented by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, the vice president said the summit was expected to yield positive progress.

“From the inception of our administration, we understood and accepted that partnership with private sector is essential for the country’s economic growth and development.

“Over the last three days, this summit has facilitated deep and meaningful conversation among the public, private, and civil society leaders.

“Together, we have created an environment of mutual respect and dialogue, which we believe will lead to the administration of other countries,” Shettima said.

He said that all stakeholders that participated clearly demonstrated a commitment to working closely with government to take collaborative action for growth, competitiveness, and stability.

“I note with satisfaction that participation in the annual summit attracts experts from diverse backgrounds.

“It also helps deepen and broaden citizens’ collaboration and ownership in formulating government policies, particularly when you are undertaking bold, challenging, and risky reforms.

“This understanding has informed our engagement with the summit process, which has generated many policy recommendations for government action like the previous summits.

“This 30th summit is a huge success, not because of the high turnout of delegates, but because the plenary and concurrent sessions addressed the key issues that will guide our economic growth and development.

“I am also confident this year’s summit will articulate the critical issues exhaustively discussed in the various sessions, especially the interactive panel session, expert forums, high-level panels, CEO roundtables, and insight sessions,” Shettima said.

He said that while awaiting the Green Book recommendations, “I assure all participants, including business community members, on the need to align such recommendations with government priorities for implementation.

The vice president commended all stakeholders and partners, and assured them that government would continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group to organise future summits.