Fast-track ”change” agenda, Malaysian envoy charges FG

The Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Datuk Lim Juay Jin, has urged the federal government to fast-track its change agenda. The envoy also charged the Nigerian government to develop policies that are sustainable in the long run. "The current administration is talking about change. Once the direction of the change is set, you have to […]

The Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Datuk Lim Juay Jin, has urged the federal government to fast-track its change agenda.

The envoy also charged the Nigerian government to develop policies that are sustainable in the long run.

"The current administration is talking about change. Once the direction of the change is set, you have to quicken the pace," Juay Jin told Daily Trust in an exclusive interview in Abuja.

He said Malaysia achieved considerable success because it actually designed and implemented policies in a much organised way, noting that most countries in the South East Asia are developing at a progressive par.

"The successive administrations in Malaysia have actually put a lot of effort in terms of planning, implementing, monitoring, sustaining and ensuring the success of policies," he added.

According to Juay Jin, Nigeria is endowed with huge natural and human resources with "population dividend that is good for consumer market."

He said achieving policy results requires careful and prudent planning with a strong public-private partnership, both pushing for national development.

"Ensuring the success of policies requires efforts of all players, both public and private sectors. Private will spare head the process while public sector will be the facilitator, providing enabling environment," he said.

On bilateral relations with Nigeria, the envoy said the trade ties between both countries are witnessing a significant increase, posing at 0.8billion US dollars in 2016, a 14% increase from the previous year.

He attributed the increase to the "mutual trust" both countries have on their products as well as the vibrancy of the trading activities.

He therefore reiterated commitment to deepen bilateral ties with Nigeria.

"I will like to be remembered as someone who has come here to strengthen our bilateral relations," he said.