SAFAR 25 1431 A.H.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2010.
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FG welcomes EIB's interest in Nigeria's economy
The federal government has commended the initiative of the European Investment Bank (EIB) to increase grants to Nigerian banks to finance projects in various sectors of the economy.
Vice President Goodluck Jonathan gave the commendation yesterday when he received EIB Vice President Plutarchos Sakellaris and his delegation at the State House, Abuja.
Jonathan said that the assistance of the EIB was timely, given the federal government's efforts to boost the nation’s economy.
He specifically welcomed the initiative of the bank to assist the small and medium scale enterprises as well as its interest in the energy sector.
``We welcome the EIB’s assistance in financing infrastructural development projects in the country, especially in the power sector.
``We must increase our output in the power sector. We also need expansion of the agricultural sector as well as small and medium scale enterprises to create jobs for the youth,'' Jonathan said.
He assured the delegation that the government would not halt the ongoing reforms in the banking sector, saying that the move was aimed at ensuring that the banks were professionally managed.
``The reforms will continue so as to curtail the leverage of operators to abuse banking operations,” Jonathan said.
