LAGOS, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The French government has the intention of investing in southeast Nigeria's Imo state, the News Agency of Nigeria reported on Thursday, citing Consul General of the French Embassy in Nigeria Jean-Luc Bodin.
He announced his country's intention of making the investment in Owerri, the state capital on Wednesday, when he visited Governor Ikedi Ohakim.
Bodin told the governor that he was also in the state to assess the vision and priorities of the state government.
He said he was impressed with the agricultural programs in the state.
The state had a chance to benefit from the research breakthroughs of the Tropical Institute, based in France, Bodin told the governor.
According to him, Nigeria remained France's biggest social and economic partner in the continent, stressing the need for Nigeria to diversify its economy and reduce its dependency on oil and gas.
Bodin said he would scout for intermediate investors who would be interested in other sectors of the economy, apart from oil and gas.
He advised Nigeria to intensify efforts at promoting its image abroad to encourage foreign investors to show interest in the country's economic potential.
Earlier, Ohakim told the consul general that the state had other economic potential apart from oil and gas.
He urged France to look at the state's agriculture, health, transportation and education sectors.
The governor said the state government had strived to provide the enabling environment for foreign investors to operate.
He added that now was time for France to be more committed to the affairs of Nigeria and Africa as a whole, lauding the policies of French President Nikolas Sarkozy.
He urged the consul general to reach out to French investors because the state was blessed with abundant human and natural resources that would guarantee good returns on investments.
