iNDEXTb - NIPC sign MOU for bilateral trade
The visiting delegation from Nigeria comprising of officials of various important trade bodies of Nigeria and Brono State had meeting with Sr. Government Officials of Gujarat Government. The Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb) a Govt. of Gujarat organization and Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) a federal govt. agency in Nigeria under the Nigerian Ministry of economic and commercial today entered into an agreement to Exchange information to enhance bilateral trade and investment between the State of Gujarat and Nigeria. A Memorandum of understanding was signed, here, today by Executive Secretary of the presidency of NIPC - Mr. Mustafa Bello and Managing Director, iNDEXTb - Mr. Bhagyesh Jha in the presence of Mr. Gafai Ibrahim Usman Minister, Economic & Commercial, Nigerial High Commission in India and, Principal Secretary, Industries & Mines - Mr. M M Sahu, Vice Chairman & MD, GIDC- Mr. Arvind Agarwal, Managing Director, GMDC - Mr. V S Gadhvi, Commissioner, Higher Education - Ms. Jayanti Ravi and senior iNDEXTb and Nigerian delegation officials.
While briefing the delegation on the investment opportunities available in Gujarat, Principal Secretary, Industries & Mines- Mr. M M Sahu said, “Once the tri partite institutional framework format of the Nigerian High Commission, the CII and iNDEXTb is in place, we could explore the possibilities in the development of the potential areas of interest like Oil & Gas, Education, Minerals, IT and the SME sector ”.
The Executive Secretary, NIPC, Mr. Mustafa Bello said, “We are interested in knowing further the progress achieved by Gujarat in Power Sector and would like to get benefited by replicating the same in our country besides other sectors like the health and education. And this we believe should lead us to enhancing the life of businesses between the two countries. Mr. Bello further stated that “with a customer base of 360 mn, the high commission of Nigeria is willing to enter into the capacity building programmes, to access the benefits of the academic excellence abundantly available in the State in the form of centers of excellence, for research and education.”
The agreement aims to facilitate and develop innovative programmes to assist industries including Small and Medium Size enterprises to access support from the diverse public and private sector, organizing conferences, seminars and symposiums to promote policy aimed at encouraging long-term and sustainable investment; the agreement also envisages visits of the business delegation between Gujarat and Nigeria and also movement of entrepreneurs recommended by iNDEXTb and NIPC within the next one year.
The 16-member delegation during its visit to the state participated in the 3rd Nigeria-India Business and In¬vestment Forum (NIBIF-2010) or¬ganised by CII here on Wednesday.
