Nigeria: Sugar - FG Asks India For Help

Abuja — As the largest producer of sugar in the world, the Minister of Commerce and Industry Chief Achike Udenwa has appealed to the Indian government to assist in resuscitating the sugar industry in Nigeria.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja while receiving the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, the Minister requested the Indian government to assist Nigeria with modern varieties, farmers and processors to help the local industry to grow.

He said, "Nigeria is blessed with very good savannah; arable land for sugar plantation. The industry was doing well in the past before it declined in the last few years. We believe that as the largest producer of sugar in the world, you are in a good position to help revive the sector for us."

He appealed to the Indian government to also assist in developing and advancing Nigeria's economy to the level of their technology adding that they should venture more into the manufacturing sector.

Chief Udenwa challenged the Indian investors in the pharmaceutical industries to step up with their activities in order to help develop the local industries in the country.

He said Nigeria is making efforts to revive its textile industry and urged the Indian investors in the sector to tap from the N70 billion textile reviving funds to help bring their plants back to life.

Speaking earlier, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mahesh Sachdey said his mission to the ministry is to discuss ways in which they can improve the trade and economic relations with Nigeria.

He recalled that India and Nigeria today celebrates 50 years of relations adding that his country is Nigeria's second largest trade partner in the world and the largest in Africa.

The Ambassador said Indian companies are the largest contributor in the Nigeria's power sector adding that the same goes in the pharmaceutical industries with about thirteen companies operating in Nigeria.

He provided eighty five scholarship slots in different fields to Nigerias under the Indian Technology & Economic cooperation for next year.