The Indian trade
organisation, otherwise known as ASSOCHAM India with over 450,000 members and
branches in 10 countries in Africa was formally launched yesterday in Abuja.
In its bid aimed at
boosting its trade relations with Nigeria, India has opened its oldest
industrial associations in Nigeria.
Speaking at the occasion
which held in Transcorps Hilton,Abuja,Minister of Industry, Trade and
Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelama, said Nigeria was working to ensure that
bilateral and trade relations between the two countries were strengthened.
The minister, who said such
efforts was for the benefits of the two countries,said the development was
necessary in view of the fact that Nigeria was the most important economic
power in Africa while India,on the other hand was Asia’s business destination
hub.
He said the setting up of
ASSOCHAM in Nigeria was very timely,noting that the development came at a time
Nigerian government was implementing several reforms aimed at diversifying the
economy to free it from over dependence on oil.
Speaking while declaring
the event open, the president of ASSOCHAM, Sunil Kanoria, expressed delight
with Nigeria for the opportunity to establish the organisation in the
country,saying the development would in no small measure boost economies of the
two countries.
“Apart from our trade and
business linkages, what unites our two economies is the nature of our
societies, our past as well as present challenges that we have to deal with.
“Both Nigeria and India are
developing economies with large multi-ethnic, multi-religious populations and
both share a colonial past.
“We share common
perspectives on international politics, social and development issues as manifested
in different fora like the United Nations and World Trade Organisation, etc.
” Both shared the
solidarity of the Non Aligned era, both have aspirations of regional leadership
and to be significant on the world stage,” Kanoria said.
Kanoria said ASSOCHAM was
established to serve as catalyst and facilitator for Indian businesses abroad,
through policy advocacy especially in favour of small and medium enterprises.
He said such were the
driving forces for economic development of any nation, adding that the need to
set up the association in Nigeria was long overdue as Indian companies were
playing vital roles in Nigeria spanning across steel development, pharmacy,
ICT, super speciality hospitals, manufacturing, construction and retailing
among other areas.
In his own remarks, the
Indian High Commissioner (designate) to Nigeria, B. N Reddy, said as the
fastest growing economy in the world, India was a country that Nigeria, being
the largest economy in Africa would benefit from, both in trade as well as other
opportunities.
According to him, India,
like Nigeria, faces challenges of youth employment but has through the
initiation of several schemes, is tackling those social issues, adding that
India is ready to partner with Nigeria in more areas for the benefit of both
countries.
A Nigerian based Indian
businessman, Biju Koshy, was formally decorated as the chairman of the
Association of Chambers of Commerce (ASSOCHAM).
SO THEY CAN COME AND DO BUSINESS, THOUGHT INDIANS DO NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH NIGERIANS
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