By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja – FCT Minister Muhammad Bello on Friday received a 22-member Indian business delegation in Abuja to explore possible investment areas and partnership, with a view to developing the territory.
The delegation was part of the entourage of the visiting Vice President of India, Shri Mohammed Hamid Ansari, who is in Nigeria to discuss bilateral relations.
Ansari was in the FCTA for a sideline meeting with the Minister.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the discussions focused on investment in agriculture and waste management.
Bello noted that the agricultural potential in the FCT was enormous, waiting to be tapped and, therefore, urged the delegation to explore that area.
The minister noted that Nigeria has comparative advantage in agriculture and that Abuja climate is very friendly for growing different cash crops.
According to him, cashew is doing very well in the FCT, adding that with a little value addition, the income could be unimaginable.
Bello, therefore, urged investors to establish industries in Abuja.
He assured them that the FCT Administration was prepared to support them by providing the enabling environment for investment.
On waste management, the minister further said that a lot of work had been undertaken in that respect in the past.
Bello said that the FCT Administration had already developed a blueprint for easy take-off of the industry and enjoined the delegation to take advantage of the opportunities.
Responding, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gupta, appreciated the warm reception given to them and promised to continue the discussions with the FCTA technical officials.