India sets up textiles training centre in Nigeria

India has set up an apparel training centre in Nigeria to promote skill development in the textiles sector of the West African nation, an official statement here said on Friday.

"This is a first of its kind centre in Nigeria set up in partnership with the government of Nigeria," the Indian Commerce Ministry statement said.

The centre, established in the city of Kaduna under the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for Africa being implemented by India's Department of Commerce, was inaugurated on June 22, it said.

"The centre is aimed to support and catalyze the initiative of Nigeria in realising the objectives to rebuild the cotton and textile value chain and address the need for skilled workforce for domestic as well as export-oriented apparel industry in the west African region," it added.

Africa's biggest oil producer Nigeria is a major source of India's crude imports. India-Nigeria bilateral trade was valued at over $12 billion in 2015-16.

There are over 100 Indian companies currently present in Nigeria mainly in the telecom, IT, hydrocarbons, textiles, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, plastics and auto sectors.

--IANS

bc/rn/vt