Nigeria forecasts better economy in 2018

ABUJA, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Monday expressed optimism that the economy would significantly be better in 2018 going by the positive trend of key indicators since the country emerged from recession in the second quarter of last year.

In a statement signed by the minister of budget and national planning Udoma Udo Udoma, the government said both international and local rating agencies had shared the same view that the Nigerian economy would grow rapidly in the year.

The government said it was determined to lead in an effort to create investment opportunities in areas such as agriculture and agro-processing, industry, mining, construction, and services - all aimed at spurring economic growth.

Appealing to the private sector to respond to the various initiatives which it had been rolling out, the government urged stakeholders to join in doing more work to achieve sustainable results.

The government said its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which was launched early last year was designed to tackle constraints to growth, leverage the power of the private sector, promote national cohesion and social inclusion, allow markets to function and uphold core values. Enditem