Business
India Seeks Improved Trade Relations With Nigeria
The Consul General of India in Lagos, Shri Chandramouli Kumar Kern, has announced that efforts will be heightened to enhance the trade relations between India and Nigeria, currently valued at $7.89 billion.
In interview with journalists at a free health camp organised by the Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Importers of Nigeria (IPMIN), in collaboration with the Ilupeju Estate Owners and Residents Association, in Lagos, Kern emphasised that the conducive business environment created by the Federal Government has facilitated the expansion of Indian companies’ investments in diverse sectors such as pharmaceuticals, power, and construction.
He noted that there are active military training exchanges and collaborative efforts under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, which allocates 150 slots annually for Nigerian individuals.
He further noted that the central goal of the development partnership is to assist Nigeria in its national initiatives aimed at enhancing capacity building and driving technological innovation.
The ITEC programme, as he indicated, was launched in September 1964 and represents a key initiative of the Indian government’s capacity-building strategy.
He stressed the importance of broadening these exchanges to cultivate mutual understanding and a common heritage.
Additionally, he reiterated the Indian government’s commitment to providing high-quality generic pharmaceutical products to Nigeria.
According to Kern, the recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nigeria represents a pivotal moment in the diplomatic relations between India and Nigeria.
He asserted that this landmark visit has fortified the bilateral relationship, encouraging deeper cooperation in areas including trade, commerce, and education.
He also noted that both countries share similar concerns, attributable to their comparable political frameworks and their positions as significant economies.
A former Chief Press Secretary to Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Prince Bayo Osiyemi, praised the Indian government for its efforts in strengthening bilateral relations through the free healthcare camp organised in Ilupeju.
Osiyemi, who previously served as the Chairman of Ilupeju Estates, highlighted that the initiative has positively impacted hundreds of residents in Ilupeju and its surrounding areas.
The President IPMIN, Mr. Verkay Verghese, stated that the association capitalised on the visit of INS Tushil, the Indian Navy’s latest multi-role stealth guided missile frigate, to deploy its medical team for the free health camp.
He noted that during the ship’s port calls, the team engaged with the Indian diaspora worldwide. Approximately 200 individuals received medical attention from the naval health team during the camp, and beneficiaries were also given free medications.