The first-ever Indian Textile Exhibition (INTEXPO) in Nigeria today drew an enthusiastic response, with both business firms and visitors present in large numbers on the inaugural day of the event.
Organised by the Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) in association with the Indian High Commission, the two-day long exhibition has on display a range of textile products ranging from fiber and yarn to suits, dress materials and embroidered fabrics among others.
Being held in the country's commercial capital of Lagos, the exhibition has attracted 20 Indian firms as participants.
"INTEXPO is aimed at forging win-win partnership among the Indian and Nigerian companies for effective forward and backward linkages.
"The objective is to strengthen trade between the two countries particularly in the fast growing area of man made textiles," said Mahesh Sachdev, India's High Commissioner to Nigeria while declaring the event open.
Sachdev added that India exported over USD 138 million worth of textile products to Nigeria during the last financial year and that of these over USD 80 million was contributed by man made ones.
The Nigerian government has only recently partially lifted the restrictions imposed earlier on import of textile products.
Similar exhibitions by Indian firms have drawn huge crowds in the past as well. Last year, more than 30 companies from manufacturing, services, telecom and other sectors participated in a three-day second Indian Products and Services Exhibition (IPASE) in Lagos.
The High Commissioner also recognised this trend and said: "The growing presence of Indian companies in Nigeria was made possible by the growing attractiveness of Nigeria as an investment and trade destination for Indians."
In March 2011, a pharmaceutical exhibition organised for Indian drug manufacturers and dealers in Lagos attracted 40 firms and the Lagos Trade Fair held in November 2012 saw 13 Indian firms in attendance.
Hundreds of Indian firms operate in Nigeria making them the highest employer here, just behind the oil rich African country's federal government.
