FG, Vietnam to Revive Cotton, Textile Industry
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Umar has reiterated government’s commitment to reviving the production of cotton and facilitating the restoration of the textile industry in Nigeria.
Speaking during a stakeholder’s meeting led by the President of the Nigeria- Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Oye Akinsemoyin on the revival of Nigerian Cotton, Textile and Garment Sector by Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary said the meeting was part of the next level transformation agenda of the present administration to reposition the agricultural sector as a launching pad for rapid economic development.
He assured that Nigeria is ready to work with the Vietnam-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce to facilitate the textile business, “We are ready and our farmers are ready to go back to the farm and government is ready to provide the farmers with the enabling environment and materials to enhance their production capacity”. He added that the issue of raw materials for textile production will soon be rested.
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Dr Umar expressed optimism that the proactive measure to revive the sector will create millions of jobs for Nigerians and will help to attain security and stability in the country, stating that agriculture is the mainstay of economies globally.
In his presentation, President of the Nigeria- Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Oye Akinsemoyin, said, having carefully studied the situation in the cotton industry in Nigeria, the Chamber noted the need for a shift in the government’s over reliance on oil so as to enhance other sectors of the economy especially the agricultural sector such that the textile industry which has laid comatose for so long can be revived.
He said part of the diversification plan was to promote made- in -Nigeria goods and to encourage Nigerians to promote Nigeria products above the foreign ones.
Akinsemoyin informed the meeting on the need for Nigeria to plan to showcase its Made- in Nigeria products at the19th Vietnam International Textile and Garment Industry Exhibition scheduled to hold in Vietnam later in the year.
Director, Agricultural Business and Marketing in the Ministry, Azeez Olumuyiwa urged stakeholders to deliberate and come up with a Nigerian position to be discussed with its Vietnamese counterpart on areas of collaboration.
Eno Olotu (Mrs)
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