Imported User:
The bilateral trade between Indian and Nigeria had hit $16.4 billion in 2010, making India the biggest trading partner with Nigeria, the Indian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mehesh Sachdeva said yesterday in Kaduna.
The Indian envoy who disclosed this while inspecting an indian/Nigerian run Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Centre, said “Nigeria has the positive trade balance in its favour with $11 billion.”
“This is a very positive development, like the several business relationship that India and Nigeria have enjoyed for over a century. At the moment, India is the largest trading partner with Nigeria.
“In 2010 alone, our bilateral trade balance was $16.4 billion. Nigeria has the positive trade balance in its favour with $11 billion.
“When Zain, and Indian firm took over Celtel, $4 billion was invested here. This is aside many other Indian firms investing in Energy, production and so on.
“Kaduna is particularly a favourite town for Indians, if you recall when textiles, railways and manufacturing were doing well here.
“I am very happy to see that Dr. Agarwa’s Eye Institute, India is bringing in its 60 years experience in India, as one of the World’s most respected ophthalmologists to partner with a Nigerian firm in Kaduna.
“With this clinic and state-of-the art facilities here, Nigerians don’t need to go through the cumbersome and expensive medical trips to solve their eyes problems.
“This is one of Indian’s benign presence in Nigeria, putting in mind that we are the largest providers of drugs and pharmaceuticals to Nigeria,” the Indian envoy said.
The Medical Director of the Centre, Dr. Ime Etuk, said that the centre is both for the rich and poor.
He said that many breakthroughs have been archived including making those who have been totally blind to see, as a result of the number experts in the clinic and latest technology at its disposal.
