Envoy Decries Trade Imbalance With Nigeria

The Israeli Government has expressed its readiness to partner with Nigeria to develop the agriculture sector.

The Deputy Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr George Deek, made this known when he led the Nigeria-Israeli Business Forum to pay courtesy call at Government House, Awka on Tuesday.

Deek said that he was in the state to extend an invitation to the Anambra government to exhibit its produce at the Agricultural Technology Exhibition in Israel from May 16 to May 17.

According to him, the two-day agricultural exhibition, which takes place once in every three years, attracts agriculture companies and investors from all over the world.

He expressed the belief that Nigeria has the potential to feed its citizens in view of the vast fertile land for agricultural development compared to “what is available in Israel.

“Nigeria’s driest land is like our richest but in spite of the difficulties, we were able to develop the agricultural sector to becoming one of the best agricultural business destinations in the world.”

He said that Israel’s intention was to expand its relationship with Nigeria from developmental project to promoting the economic and the private sectors.

The deputy ambassador, who noted that Israel had improved its relations with Nigeria in the area of agriculture, added that there was still a huge gap in the trade balance between the two nations.

“If you look at the volume of trade between the two countries, you will see that it is growing yearly.

“Today, it is 360 million US dollars. Last year, it was 320 million US dollars; and the year before, it was 280 million US dollars. It is growing yearly by an average of four to 15 million US dollars.

“However, if you look at the balance of trade, you will see that Israel is exporting to Nigeria around 358 million US dollars and Nigeria is exporting to Israel less than two million US dollars.

“As part of our friendship, we want to see Nigeria export increase to Israel which is why Nigeria has to come for the exhibition to showcase what you have to offer to the business community.”

The Deputy Governor of Anambra, Mr Emeka Sibedu, who received the delegation on behalf of the State Government, commended the ambassador for the invitation.

Sibedu, who said the State Government would honour the invitation, added that Anambra was investing heavily in agriculture.

He expressed the hope that the Israeli exhibition would boost the agriculture potential of the state to achieve food security and other goals of MDGs before 2015.