Pakistan to help Nigeria boost production

Focus to be on foodstuff and textile.

LAGOS: Pakistan is ready to help Nigeria turn from an importer to an exporter of goods, said Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ahmed Sirohey, while speaking to journalists in Abuja.

“With Nigeria’s vast resources, it should be exporting rather than importing goods, especially foodstuff and textiles,” he said.

Nigeria’s population is its greatest asset, which if properly harnessed through skill acquisition and adequate training could help transform its economy, he added.

“Nigeria should not import primary goods, especially food items, as it has rich soil. We are ready to support Nigeria and are already in talks with the government,” he said.

Sirohey said that even though there was currently no trade agreement between Nigeria and Pakistan, both countries were currently negotiating to clinch a deal.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2010.