The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria-United Arab Emirate (UAE) bilateral trade stood at $1.25 billion in 2019.

The minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Katagum made this known on Thursday in Abuja, at a media round table.

Katagum said that UAE remained the country’s largest trade partner in the Middle East representing a total of 35 per cent bilateral trade within the region.

The minister said Nigeria’s participation in Dubai 2020 EXPO is with the theme “Harnessing Opportunity, and Creating the Future” while the organisers have tagged it as “Connecting minds, creating the future”.

She said “Nigeria aims to showcase the abundant natural and human resources available in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT. To this end, critical sectors of the Nigerian economy such as Agriculture, Manufacturing, Creative Industry, our Culture and youthful generation would be showcased to the world to tap into abundant opportunities available and to benefit from the Expo.”

Amb. Katagum further said “It is pertinent to also note that, Nigeria has scheduled 23 customized events including Trade and Investment Forum, Musical Concert, Women in Laughter, Football Friendly, Adire fashion show, Women-in-film, Art of recycling, Cultural performance, Dance shows and Find Your Place in the Food Chain among others. So far, all venues have been booked,”.

Meanwhile, the Director, Commodity and Export Department in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Suleman Audu, said the participation of Nigerian businesses at the forthcoming Dubai Expo could fetch the country a whopping sum of $23bn.

He said the Dubai forum was another good opportunity for states and Small and Medium Enterprises to cement business relationship.

On his part, H.E. Dr Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria said the Dubai Expo 2020 would be a solution ground for businesses from many countries including Nigeria.

He noted that over 25 million participants are expected at the Expo making it the largest event the country will organize.

Fahad said that so 40,000 companies from 116 countries have indicated interest in the event.

Dubai Expo 2020 which will commenced on 1, October 2021 and will last till March 2022 was earlier scheduled for 2020 but had to postponed due to the Corona virus pandemic