Business

Despite 150 Companies and $27bn Investment in Nigeria, India Wants More, Says Envoy

About 150 Indian companies have invested more than US$27 billion in Nigeria in the last four decades, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gangadharan Balasubramanian has revealed.

Balasubramanian made the disclosure in his address at the anniversary celebration of the 75th Republic Day of India, organised by the Indian mission on Friday night in Abuja, noting that India remains interested in investing more in Nigeria.

The envoy while describing relations between India and Nigeria as excellent, said India will continue to play significant role and contribute to the global good, adding the recently concluded Indian Presidency of G20 showcased the country’s readiness to effectively play a global role.

He said India stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Nigerian friends in the joint journey towards development and that the Government of India is committed to further strengthening such ties.

Balasubramanian also said: “India and Nigeria enjoy strong and historical relations.  With the ties dating back to before Nigeria’s independence, our bilateral relations have been nurtured by the leadership of both the countries.

“Our economic and trade relations are strong and growing.  Currently nearly 150 Indian companies with an investment of 27 billion dollars are in Nigeria, mainly in the manufacturing sector and employ the largest number of people after the Federal Government.

He noted that: “Owing to the special relationship, India had invited Nigeria as a Guest Country during her presidency of G20.  We had a memorable visit of President Bola Tinubu to the G20 Summit in September, 2023 that consolidated the ties further.

“Out of the 14 billion dollars promised during this visit as investment into Nigerian economy, 7 billion dollars has already been signed immediately after the visit.”

The envoy reiterated his country’s  commitment to deepen the India-Nigeria ties in terms of the recent visit by India External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyan Jaishankar for the Joint Commission meeting held in Nigeria.

The envoy attributed progress made by his country to the working of his country’s Constitution adopted in 1950, saying from the end of the last century till now, India has become one of the fastest growing emerging economies.

He said: “Today with more that 3.7 trillion dollars GDP, her economy is the fifth largest in the world.  Education, health and economy have been  consistent targets of successive governments in India resulting in all round improvement of  standard of living of Indian citizens.

“We run one of the world’s largest health insurance schemes, made education a fundamental right, continue with the biggest welfare initiative in providing food grains to significant percentage of Indian citizens, increased the paying capacity of the people and provided equal opportunities to all.

“We have drawn up schemes to uplift the vulnerable and on gender equality, passed  legislation providing 33per cent reservation for women in parliament, to name a few.

“Starting from 1964, we have been providing scholarship for a large number of short-term courses under the Indian Technical and Economic Partnership to people around the world.

“We have become significant development partner through Lines of Credit and Grants-in-Aid to the global south, which today stands at 39 billion dollars, which includes more than 12 billion dollars to Africa,” he added.

Also speaking at the occasion, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who was represented by Ambassador Alex Kefas, Director of Europe and Regions in the ministry, said Nigeria-India cordial and friendly relations dates back to 1958.

According to him, the bond between the two countries is deep and can be characterized by historical and cultural connections strengthened through our shared struggle for independence, which formed basis for their partnership.

“The state of Nigeria-India economic relations has seen remarkable improvement in recent years. Trade volume between the two countries has increased significantly.

“India is now Nigeria’s largest trading partner in Africa and the highest importer of Nigeria’s crude oil. Similarly, Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in A fica.

“Bilateral trade between both countries in the last two years amounted to approximately  14.95 billion dollars in the formal sector and about USD 5 billion in the informal sector,” Tuggar said.

He said Nigeria will continue to open its door for collaboration with India as pathway to advance cordial relationship and between both countries.

The event attracted Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Mrs. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Dr Jamila Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, former Minister of Women Affairs and diplomats, among others.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Follow us on:

AriseNews

View Comments

  • it's legal and approve by the federal government of Nigeria opportunities to get a car of your choice at a minimum amount NIGERIA 🇳🇬 CUST0M SERVICE REPLACEMENT FORM IS FINALLY OUT FOR 2024 /2025 BATCH B AND YOU CAN GET IT DIRECTLY FROM THE ZONAL HEADQUARTERS IN NIGERIA INTERESTED APPLICANT THAT HAS WAECE, NECO, NCE, ND, HND, BSC CAN APPLY PLEASE KINDLY CONTACT ME ON: FOR MORE INQUIRIES

    BAGS OF RICE 35,500
    VEGETABLE OIL 25.
    LITTER 15,000

    TOKUMBO VEHICLE FOR
    SALE AT AUCTION PRICE
    INTERESTED BUYER
    SHOULD CONTACT
    OFFICER MRSEZE.
    [O9I 5608 9111 ]

    CARS FEATURES AND
    PRICE BELOW
    Tipper head 6m
    Dyan truck 900k

    GOLF 2,3,4,5 #500,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY BIG
    DADDY #550,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY
    TINYLIGH= #500,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY
    MUSCLE= #850,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY
    PENCILLIGHT=#550,000
    TOYOTA COROLLA
    le=#550,000
    TOYOTA COROLLA
    S=#750,000
    TOYOTA
    VENZA=#950,00 1.8m
    TOYOTA Hilux 1.5 million
    TOYOTA AVALON
    #800,000
    TOYOTA AVENSIS
    #700,000
    TOYOTA RAV4 800k
    TOYOTA SIENNA
    #850,000
    TOYOTA
    4runner#950,000
    TOYOTA TUNDRA 1.9m
    TOYOTA PICNIC
    #550,000
    TOYOTA Highlander
    #950,000
    TOYOTA PADRO JEEP
    1.6m
    TOYOTA LAND
    CRUISER=1.5m
    TOYOTA YARIS #459,000
    TOYOTA MATRIX
    #650,000
    TOYOTA HAICE BUS
    #750,000
    ACCURA ZDX 1.6m
    ACCURA MDX 1.9m
    HONDA PILOT #950,00
    HONDA BABY BOY
    #550,000
    HONDA END OF
    DISCUSSION
    HONDA ACCORD
    #450,000
    Honda CR-V #850,000
    INFINITY fx450 #750,000
    to 1.4m
    NISSAN MURANO
    #650,00
    Es250 900k
    LEXUS RX 350 #1.2m
    LEXUS RS 330 # 1m
    LEXUS RS 300 # 900,000
    LEXUS RX 470 1.5m
    Es3501mill
    All NEGOTIABLE WE
    RENDER GOOD SERVICE
    TO CUSTOMER ....{ E.T .C}

    LOCATION AT OGUN
    STATE IDIROKO BORDER WE
    HAVE TWO OPTION
    EITHER WE DELIVERY OR
    YOU COME OVER IF YOU
    HAVE TO COME OVER WE
    NEED THIS FROM YOU

    {1} NATIONAL ID CARD
    {2} BORDER PERMIT
    {3} INSPECTION DOCUMENTS
    {4} 2PASSPORT

    THANKS FOR YOUR
    PATRONAGE WE

    DELIVER TO 36 STATE IN
    NIGERIA AND ALSO
    COME DOWN WITH THE
    FULL PAYMENT CALL
    FOR MORE
    INFORMATION
    {O9I 5608.9111 }

Recent Posts

US Senate Approves Defence Bill Authorising Troop Pay Increase, Aims to Counter China’s Influence

The US Senate has passed a defence bill that boosts troop pay and includes measures…

3 hours ago

Amazon Workers to Strike at Several US Warehouses Amid Holiday Rush

Amazon employees have planned to stage strikes across multiple US warehouses during the peak holiday…

3 hours ago

China, India Commit to Resolving Himalayan Border Dispute Post 2020 Standoff

China and India are set to pursue "fair and reasonable" solutions for their border dispute.

3 hours ago

South Korea’s Yoon Prepared to Represent Himself in Legal Proceedings, Lawyer Reveals

South Korea's President Yoon has reportedly expressed readiness to represent himself in court, according to…

3 hours ago

Uzbek Man Detained in Connection with Killing of Russian General Igor Kirillov

A 29-year-old Uzbek man has been detained over the assassination of Russian general Igor Kirillov…

3 hours ago

Dangote Crashes Petrol Prices to N899 Per Litre, Leaving Importers Reeling

Dangote Refinery has reduced petrol prices to N899/ltr for 2 million litres, aiming to stabilise…

3 hours ago