The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, says his country is gearing up to further enhance cooperation with Nigeria in the areas of agricultural science, agro production and telecommunications expansion.
The High Commissioner, Mr A R Ghanshyam, gave the hint when he paid a visit to Kaduna State Governor, Muktar Yero on Saturday.
Mr Ghanshyam said that he was in Kaduna to woo the state to partner with his country in the areas of modern agricultural development and industrial renewal.
He said that the new government in India has identified Nigeria as one of the countries to partner with in terms of business relations, and expressed optimism that such partnership would enable Nigeria diversify its sources of revenue beyond oil.
According to him, the Nigerian government can reap huge benefit from Indian investors through such partnership, noting that India contributes a larger percentage of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and is the highest employer of labour after government.
He explained that there is excellent potential for trade and investment cooperation between India and Nigeria in sectors like pharmaceuticals, agro production and telecommunication and agriculture.
In his response, Governor Yero lauded the Indian government for maintaining a close relationship with Nigeria and for choosing the country as one its economic hub.
Speaking to Channels Television shortly after the meeting, Governor Yero highlighted some of the successes recorded in the Agric sector under his administration, which include subsidizing fertilizer for farmers, revamping agric extension services and providing soft loans to farmers in the state.
