The Indian High Commission in Nigeria on Wednesday pledged to support the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of Nigeria.
India’s Deputy High Commissioner, Subhash Chand, said this in his address at a one-day workshop organised by the All India Universities Alumni Association of Nigeria in Abuja.
The workshop with the theme, “Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Combating Unemployment in Nigeria, the Indian Experience,’’ was organised in collaboration with the Indian High Commission in Nigeria.
Chand, who described India as major trade partner of Nigeria, expressed optimism that the relations between both countries would continue to remain steady inspite of the recession being experienced.
He said: “India fully supports Nigeria’s ERGP with predominant focus on promoting agriculture and allied sectors as part of building a globally competitive economy.”
He said India had offered credit worth $100 million to Nigeria for the construction of power projects in three states, adding that it had already approved $60 million to achieve the target.
Chand explained that $30 million dollars was for Kaduna while the other $30 million was for Cross River.
He said that the remaining $40 million was to process that of Enugu, based on receipt of detailed report from the state.
The diplomat also revealed that India had offered a solar PV Renewable micro-Utility project in six geo-political zones of Nigeria at the cost of $8.36 million.
He further said that a 50 megawatts solar power plant worth $ 66.60 million was offered to Bauchi State.
Chand commended the organisers of the event, saying it would further boost bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier, the President-General of AIUAA, Charles Njoku, had said that the relationship between Nigeria and India was not unconnected with the many similarities they share in life and nationhood.
According to him, the economic growth of a nation is closely associated with its industrial sector.
Njoku said: “While large industries help the overall economic development of a nation, the contribution of MSMEs is quite significant in employment generation, industrial production and exports.
“The relationship between the two countries will no doubt be of immense benefit and ensure greater experience sharing.”
He appealed to the Indian High Commission to establish motorcycle plant in Aba or Owerri as well as build a consulate in the South-East and South-South zones to ease processing of Indian visas.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the high points of the event included a paper presentation on using MSMEs in combating unemployment as well as cultural display by Indian and Nigerian groups.
Trending
- Amokachi, Adebayor for CAF African Schools Football Championship Finals
- Man City’s Phil Foden named Premier League Player of the Season
- Governor tasks US Embassy spokesperson, husband
- Flamingos: We’ll start preparation immediately — Coach
- EFCC hands over $22,000 recovered from convicted internet fraudster to FBI
- UNILAG: With salary at same level since 2009, fuel subsidy removal worsens lecturers’ woes
- 50-year-old man dies while watching football match in Lagos bar
- Usyk stuns Tyson Fury by split decision