The Nigeria India Business Council (NIBC) was inaugurated yesterday in Abuja, marking a significant step in fostering stronger business relations between Nigeria and India.
NIBC President, Sir Emeka Offor, disclosed after the inauguration of a seven-man working group that one of the tasks the council was exploring was the possibility of facilitating a direct flight from Nigeria to India.
The meeting also ratified the appointment of Chijioke James as the Director General of the Council.
Prominent board members at the meeting included the Vice President, Dr Dere Otubu, Murtala Mohammed, Bakare Oladipo Mudasiru, Salisu Kabara, and Yunusa Yakubu. Others were Ambassador Humphrey Orjiako, AIG Chris Ezike (rtd) and Dr Steve Dike.
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACIMA) President Dele Kelvin Oye and former President Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN, attended the meeting as observers.
Offor said NIBC aimed to serve as a bridge, providing networking opportunities, strategic alliances and advocacy to businesses keen on leveraging the unique strengths of both nations.
“The establishment of this council is a testament to the growing importance of the Nigeria-India partnership.
“With our dedicated board’s support and the Council‘s DG, we are poised to facilitate greater economic cooperation and enhance bilateral trade. We invite business leaders and entrepreneurs to join us in our mission and benefit from the wide range of opportunities that council membership offers,” Offor said.
He said the Nigeria-India Business Council is a body that seeks to attract investment and support the government in ensuring that business is sustained between the two countries.
“I know that one of the major objectives of the body is to make sure that we improve on whatever is on the ground to make sure that we take it to a higher level. I think after President Tinubu visited India, a lot of commitment has been made. But now that the body is formally inaugurated, it starts to exist from today.”
The DG of the Council, Chijioke James, said the board‘s working group will work around the clock to ensure that the lateral business relationship between Nigeria and India is deepened and opened up to different sectors that will provide the promotion of business.
He said Nigeria has a competitive advantage over India in terms of its natural resources, adding that NIBC would love to tap into India’s skill set to develop Nigerias natural resources and be in a position to export its products to India, which has a market in excess of 1.4 billion.
