India reiterates commitment to invest in Nigeria’s healthcare sector

Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC), India, has reiterated commitment to partner with Nigeria through investment in the healthcare sector.

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The Secretary General NIBC India, Rekha Sharma, made this know at a press briefing on the India trade mission to Nigeria/Nigeria-India business forum in Abuja.

Sharma explained that, “Through the Nigeria India Business Council, investment would be facilitated in bringing medical equipment and modern medical machinery into Nigeria to improve the health sector.

“The health sector is significant for Nigeria in the business concept, it offers huge opportunity for both sides of the businesses. As NIBC, we just wanted to bring the joint venture partners, in terms of their skills development for the benefit of the two countries, like exchange of doctors.

“We just wanted to bring manufacturing partners for production of medical equipment and other hospitals services here, so that the locals can get educated and trainning for the treatment.

“There are lots of opportunities and I see the healthcare sector as huge investment opportunity. A Council, we are committed to bringing together the joint venture partners and both can grow as business leaders,” she explained

The Secretary General added that, “We have established 221 Primary Healthcare Centres in Kaduna, out of the 221 that have been done, Solar-Power has been provided to supply electricity night and day.

“African Development Bank and IDB is investing over 10 billion USD and Nigeria alone has over 9000 primary healthcare centres. Plans are on to give proof of concept for about 25 primary healthcare centres and all these actions will be integrated and inaugurated in the first week of April, 2024,” she added.

The Minister of Industry Trade and Investment Dr Doris Uzoka, express Nigeria’s readiness to deepen the already long-standing trade relations with India by creating an enabling business environment for more direct investment in Nigeria. She further commended Nigeria-India relationship to have been built on mutual friendship.

“Today’s forum is a testament to the progress built on President Bola Tinubu’s effort at the G-20 summit held in September, 2023 in New-Delhi, India. The effort resulted in India pledge of 14billion USD for investment in Nigeria’s economy.

“The balance of trade between Nigeria and India in 2022, stands at 14.95, billion dollars this is an improvement of what we saw in 2021. There is a significant improvement in our trade relationships. We are expecting to see an improved relationship and that’s the reason why we see the NIBC here. It is very important to note that the NACCIMA has signed an MOU to further deepen trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. When business thrive, the economy grows,” she said.

The President of Nigeria India Business Council, Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Offor said the dialogue aims at creating opportunities for investors, job creation opportunities and the general economic development of both countries.

“We are very optimistic that the business climate in Nigeria is ready to attract investment. NIBC is committed to keeping the momentum and providing measures for implementing various project that will deepen Nigeria-India relations,” Offor said.

According to the Governors of Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule, Gombe , Inuwa Yahaya, and Katsina States, Nigeria and India have a lot in common, in terms of population and natural resources. India has done so well in the area of agriculture, health and technology which Nigerian can learn from.

The media urged to be patriotic in their reportage and use the power of the media to promote investment opportunities in the country .