ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: Nigeria is keen to enhance trade relations with Pakistan in the areas of agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles and electrical goods.

A 11-member trade delegation from Sokoto province of northern Nigeria said this in a meeting with businessmen at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Wednesday. The delegation was accompanied by Mr Hassan, minister at the Nigerian High Commission in Islamabad.

The delegation said they were keen to strengthen economic and trade ties with Pakistan and specifically mentioned their areas of interest, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles and electrical goods.

They observed that Pakistani and Nigerian businessmen should enhance their interaction and hold exhibitions of Pakistani products in Nigeria to promote bilateral trade and commerce.

The leader of the delegation, Tambawal Abubakr Shehu, stressed that the chambers of commerce and industry in both the countries should be the focal points for information and strengthening of bilateral trade.

Welcoming the delegation, ICCI President Zubair Ahmed Malik pointed out that Nigeria and Pakistan were fairly large economies but the volume of trade between them was quite small.

He said Pakistan’s exports to Nigeria in 2001-02 amounted to a meagre figure of $37 million and imports from Nigeria to $0.150 million.

Mr Malik proposed that the two Muslim countries should take more measures to promote bilateral trade and consider joint ventures in the areas of garment manufacturing, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, non-traditional goods and agricultural implements.

He said frequent visits between the business communities and holding single country exhibitions could certainly boost bilateral trade provided adequate administrative arrangements were made in the two countries, preferably through the chambers of commerce.

Through this management, he added, one-to-one discussions could take place to promote trade ties. He offered full support of the ICCI and Industry in this connection.

A trade delegation of the ICCI would shortly visit Nigeria to explore the opportunities for joint collaboration in the areas of common interest, Mr Malik added.