Nigeria, India signs MOU on product standardisation

 

The governments of Nigeria and Indian Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding on product standardisation for the two countries, a statement from Nigeria’s Presidency said.

The meeting also featured a letter of Intent to conclude agreements on a number of diplomatic issues including Customs Cooperation, Prisoner Transfer, Renewable Energy, and Visa issues.

This was the highlight of the bilateral meeting between the visiting Indian Vice President, M. Hamid Ansari who is in Nigeria with a 22 man business delegation and Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

Nigerian products have constantly suffered rejection in international markets following the lack of conformity to international products standards.

Ansari also met with President Muhammadu Buhari, where his team proposed an investment of 5 billion US dollars in the Nigerian economy.

A statement by presidential media aide Garba Shehu said President Buhari told Ansari that Nigeria would emulate the Asian country’s agricultural model and capacity to feed its 1 billion population, and also export to other countries, describing the country as “sustainable and prosperous’’.
The President noted that Nigeria would continue to support the reform of the United Nations Security Council, pointing out that it was unfair on the rest of the world for five countries to exercise power of ‘‘yes or no’’ in the UN.
In his remarks, the Indian Vice President said his country, which is the leading buyer of Nigeria’s crude oil, will increase its purchase of the commodity in addition to natural gas.
According to him, the relationship between Nigeria and India is near perfect as both countries ‘‘have nothing to quarrel about’’.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aishat Abubakar signed the MOU for Nigeria and India’s Minister of State for Finance, Arjun Ram Meghwal signed for his country. For the Letter of Intent, the Indian Ambassador B.N. Reddy signed for his country, while the Permanent Secretary, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Sola Enikanolaye signed for Nigeria