KARACHI: High Commissioner of Nigeria Mohammed Bello Abioye has said that although an agreement was signed for setting up joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry between Nigeria and Pakistan in 2015 but no progress has been made in this regard to date.
“Setting up a joint Chamber was very necessary to improve trade and investment cooperation between the two countries otherwise we will not be able to do much”, he added while exchanging views at a meeting during his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI). President KCCI Muhammad Idrees, Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Naqi along with KCCI Managing Committee Members attended the meeting.
Nigerian HC further stated that lack of direct flights was another reason for limited trade between the two countries. “If direct flights are commenced, it would surely certainly facilitate trade and investment between the business communities of the two countries”, he said, adding that Nigeria, which holds a very large population, was a peaceful and stable country where Pakistani businessmen and industrialists could either establish their business units or undertake joint ventures. “We can become partners in progress through further strengthening trade ties.”
He said that Karachi was an important headquarter of Sindh province which was the basic reason for laying a lot of emphasis on enhancing trade ties with the business community of this city. “Hence, we are keen to strengthen our relations with KCCI as it was the most important platform that represents Karachi city. Any delegation’s visit from KCCI to Nigeria will be fully facilitated as we want to see trade flourishing between the two countries”, he added.
He said that many commodities particularly cotton and coco being largely produced in Nigeria can be provided to Pakistan. The Nigerian cotton can be used by Pakistan’s textile sector for producing their value-added products.
