23 May 2008
Lord Mayor of world’s leading financial centre visits Nigeria
to strengthen links with UK
The Lord Mayor the City of London, the world’s leading
international financial centre, arrives in Nigeria for the first
time in a decade on Tuesday for four days of talks with leading
figures from Government, institutions and the business world.
Lord Mayor David Lewis, who acts as the global ambassador for
the world-spanning UK-based financial services industry, will cover
a wide business agenda, including: improved trade links, better
sharing of expertise for financing major infrastructure projects,
access to London’s investment pools, closer work on specialist
education, Islamic finance, and economic reforms in general.
“Nigeria is a country with immense potential a major part to
play not only in the region but across the globe and firms based in
the UK are keen to work in partnership with Nigeria to help this
happen,” said Lord Mayor David Lewis.
“London is the most internationally-focused global financial hub
and is a source of funds, expertise and support for dynamic and
fast-growing countries across the world; my team’s job is to make
sure the existing links with Nigeria are strengthened.”
Lord Mayor Lewis said he was particularly keen to help further
the already sturdy growth of Nigeria’s financial services
sector:
“Nothing accelerates a country’s growth faster than a financial
sector operating to international best-practice and enabling the
wider commercial world through funding and good advice - so
encouraging Nigeria along this road will eventually bring huge
benefits to all 140 million of its citizens.
“Infrastructure is always a priority in fast-growing countries
and the UK’s world-lead in expertise in Public Private Partnerships
is of particular relevance,” he said.
The Lord Mayor and his 18-strong visiting delegation will hold
meetings with, among others: the Ministry for Justice, the Central
Bank of Nigeria, the Ministry of Finance, the Economics
& Financial Crimes Commission, the Governor of Lagos State,
plus meetings with the banking community and leading businesses.
Special events include a London Capital Markets Roadshow 2008 and
an Insurance Industry Dinner, hosted by the Nigerian Insurance
Association.
Ends
Notes for editors
The Lord Mayor is the head of the City of London Corporation,
and supports and promotes the world-leading UK-based financial
services industry through his role as the sector's global
ambassador.
Further information
More facts on the leading role of the City of London
Press contact
Greg Williams 020 7332 1455, 07889 167 205