Switzerland’s Federal Counsellor and Head of Foreign Affairs, Mr Didier Burkhalter, before declaring the office officially opened, said it was currently his government’s second Consulate-General’s Office in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The opening of this second Consulate-General of Switzerland in Sub-Saharan Africa, after Cape Town, marks a very special day for us.
“Switzerland is officially returning to Lagos, the place where its long-standing friendship with Nigeria started 55 years ago.
“Ever since the opening of our embassy, Nigeria has been at the heart of our foreign policy on Africa,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria had not lost its importance in his country’s foreign policy.
Burkhalter also said the economic significance of Nigeria could not be overstated, adding that it was “one of the main reasons the Consulate-General had been reopened.”
The government official said Swiss businesses and people attached much importance to Nigeria, especially Lagos.
“As the biggest economy in the continent, Nigeria not only plays a major role in shaping developments in Africa, this position also enables Nigeria to contribute to economic growth worldwide,” he added.
“Lagos is to Nigeria what Nigeria is to Africa, as an economic heart, with a variety of business, manufacturing, trading, cultural exchanges, fashion and entertainment,” he added.
