Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja
The Presidency on Sunday disclosed that the Federal Government has commenced discussions on partnerships towards establishing a national airline for the country.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists from Doha, Qatar where President Muhammadu Buhari is currently on an official visit. 
Adesina did not however disclose the details of the discussions and the level the government has reached. 
H added that the two countries have also signed an agreement that will forestall double taxation and tax evasion.He however said that Nigerian authorities have reached an agreement with the State of Qatar which will soon translate into direct flights between major cities of both countries.
Adesina said the Bilateral Air Services Agreement and the other agreement were signed on Sunday in Doha on the sideline of Buhari’s state visit to Qatar.  
According to him, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, signed the air services agreement on behalf of Nigeria while Qatar’s Minister of Transportation and Communications, Jassim Bin Saif Alsulaiti, signed on behalf the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani.
The statement read in part, “The agreement which was signed in the presence of both leaders is expected to operate on the principle of reciprocity by the designated airlines on behalf of the countries.
“The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, also signed the agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes income with her Qatari counterpart, Ali Shareef Al Emadi.
“It is also expected that the agreement on bilateral air service will promote trade, commerce and tourism between the two countries just as Nigeria has also commenced discussions on partnerships towards establishing a national airline for Nigeria. 
“The agreement on the avoidance of double taxation which had been negotiated since February 2015 will no doubt bring in more investments and businesses between Qatar and Nigeria.”