India To Increase Investment In Nigeria’s Chemical Industry

The Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Suresh Makhijani, has said that there were plans by Indian companies to increase investment in Nigeria’s basic and agrochemical industries.
Makhijani said this in Lagos while declaring open a two-day Indian Chemicals Exhibition and Buyer-Seller Meet recently.
The exhibition was organised by CHEMEXCIL, an India government sponsored export promotion council.
The Envoy said that the newly developed Indian basic chemical and agrochemical, would soon find their ways into Nigerian market.
The Deputy High Commissioner listed such products to include adhesives, cosmetics, toiletries, soaps, detergents, pesticides, bio-pesticides, fertilisers, pigment, solvents and other industrial chemicals.
“No doubt, there has been some investment by Indian chemical industries in Nigeria, which has created sizeable number of jobs.
“In fact, Indian companies are considered to be the second largest employer of Nigerian workforce.
“Presently, more of Indian chemical companies are ready to come and invest and increase the number of their products in the Nigerian market, “ he said.
Makhijani said that the number of companies that participated in the exhibition has increased from 35 as at 2012, to 80 this year.
He said the countries bilateral relations have been “excellent“ all along, adding that the future of their cultural and socio-economic cooperation would be brighter.
Mr Suhas Bharadi, CHEMEXCIL’s Executive Director, said that the exhibition was to strengthen existing business, promote Indian’s chemical exports, as well as create a positive image for Indian products.