India has set up an apparel training centre in Kaduna, Nigeria to support textiles industry of the West African country.
This is a first of its kind centre in Nigeria which has been set up by India in partnership with their government.
Key Facts
- The training centre was established under the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for Africa which is being implemented by the Department of Commerce.
- It aims to support and catalyze the initiative of Nigeria in realising the objectives to rebuild the cotton and textile value chain.
- The centre also seeks to address the need for skilled workforce for domestic as well export-oriented apparel industry in the West African region.
Background: India-Nigeria relations
- Nigeria is an important trading partner of India. The bilateral trade between both countries stood at US 12.17 billion dollars in 2015-16 as against US 16.36 billion dollars in 2014-15.
- Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer and its major chunk of crude export is to India.
- There are over 100 Indian companies operating in Nigeria mainly in hydrocarbons, telecom, textiles, electrical equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics, IT and autos sectors.
- India’s exports to Nigeria include pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments, chemicals, transport equipment and electronic goods.
- While, major items India imports from Nigeria are crude, petroleum, non-ferrous metals, wood and wood products, cashew nuts.