INDEPENDENT NG
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday said Nigeria would continue to support China towards ensuring sustainable digital economy.
Shettima made this known while addressing a two-day third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation summit, holding on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19, in Beijing.
The vice president commended China on the occasion of the country’s 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
He said that the initiative had impacted positively on infrastructure development, not only in China but globally.
” The BRI has achieved ground-breaking interventions and made monumental achievements especially in terms of infrastructure.
“ The Belt and Road achievements reflect China’s commitment to leverage on cooperation and the UN’s efforts towards achieving economic development.
“ Specifically, for the prosperity of the people in every economy, BRI has been a major contributor to the implementation of the UN 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goal.”
Speaking on the digital economy, Shettima said that the world had been experiencing new approaches and global dimensions to governance through digital technology.
According to Shettima, the digital economy has played major role towards acceleration of global economic growth and recovery as replacement mechanism through process of trans border trade.
“As the world emerges from the economic downturn, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is crucial need for developing economies to employ digital transformation practices.
“Especially, in the aspects of manufacturing, agriculture, retail and human capacity building, as well as medical and health care, in order to achieve any meaningful and sustainable development.”
He commended China for introducing digital seed growth as vehicle for achieving international economic cooperation beyond geographical spheres.
” Nigeria is no exception in global shift in digital economy being the largest economy in Africa, and as the most populous country in the continent.
” We intend to remain top of the ladder through formulation and implementation of digital oriented policies.”
Shettima said although Nigeria started by establishing digital strategy policy in November 2019, government would do all within its ambit to transform and reposition the nation’s digital economy to become a leading one.
