The Borno State Government has entered into a partnership with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa on exporting wheat and Gum Arabic produced by farmers in Borno State.
The agreement was signed at the bank’s headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan, between the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum and the bank’s Director-General, Mr. Sidi Ould Tah.
Governor Zulum sought the partnership with the Arab Bank for increased value chain and export to tap into the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development in the bank’s operational structure, by proving the potential of Borno State as a major producer of wheat and gum Arabic, among other food and cash crops.
Borno State is one of the leading producers of wheat and gum Arabic in Nigeria, while the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa was established to strengthen the economic, financial and technical cooperation between Arab countries and Africa through financing opportunities for economic development.
Before the agreement was signed, Governor Zulum highlighted the huge opportunities available in agriculture, due to the vast and fertile land resources for irrigation and rain fed agriculture, despite the challenges that Borno State suffered from terrorists attacks on communities.
He however spoke of the ongoing rebuilding and economic recovery efforts in the state, all through a video documentary produced in Arabic.
The bank’s team made overview presentations on Nigeria’s wheat, gum Arabic and Date-Palm productions obliged Governor Zulum’s request with discussions to go towards identifying specifics for both parties and implementing them.
