Israel Is Willing To
Import From Nigeria-Envoy
The
Nigerian Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Dada Olisa, has said that
with proper processing and survey, Nigerian farmers can export
cash crops such as cashew nuts, sesame and beans seeds to
Israel.
Speaking in an interview in Tel-Aviv on Monday, Olisa said that
Israel would like to import some agricultural products from
Nigeria provided such produce met international standard.
In his words, ’’There are lots of Israelis who will want to
import some of these agricultural products from Nigeria but they
must meet international standard...Our agricultural products
should be improved upon; more money needs to be put into
agriculture and emphasis should be put on it.’’
He expressed regrets that the balance of trade between Nigeria
and Israel was in favour of Israel.
The ambassador said: ’’For now they do not buy our oil and gas,
they prefer to buy their oil from the Middle East. Also the
level of our agriculture development is so low that there is
little or nothing we are exporting to Israel, yet Israel exports
technology and other skills in security to Nigeria.’’
New Vista
The Ambassador said that an economic agreement with the
Israeli government, signed in September 2009 when the Israel
Minister visited Nigeria, should form a basis for exploring new
collaboration.
He mentioned a recent visit to Israel by officials of the
Nigeria Exports Promotion Council as a step in the right
direction.
’’ I’m glad that a few days ago officials of the Nigeria Exports
Promotion Council were here to exploit and have discussion with
the Israeli Camber of Commerce, on things we can export here.’’
Other areas of interest
On water technology, the envoy said that Nigeria should
acquire the Israeli technology to be able to solve the water
supply problems in some parts of the country.
According to him, ’’ Israeli water technology is very high, they
have saline equipment and facilities every year and they have
water technology exhibition in Israel from all the states and
different organisations… The water technology is transferable.
It is what we can acquire; there are lot of Israelis in water
technology in Nigeria.’’
The Ambassador added that many Israelis were already in Nigeria.
’’They are in construction, agriculture; they are in
telecommunication, water management, irrigation. They have
expertise in all these areas; there is a whole lot we can
achieve and it depends on our willingness to learn from them.’’
NAN/Yinka
