Nigeria to Strengthen Economic Ties With Mexico – Abubakar

The Minister made this known when he received the delegation led by the Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr Alfredo Miranda in his office in Abuja.

He stated that Mexico is not just another country that Nigeria has good diplomatic relations with but also a strategic trading partner and the biggest importer of the country’s hibiscus.

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Dr Abubakar recalled that “in 2017, Nigeria earned $35m from the export of 1,983 containers of hibiscus to Mexico, this happened within the space of nine months of that year”.

Abubakar pointed out that “it is regrettable that the suspension of hibiscus trade lasted for nearly three years longer than it should and resulted in a slowdown of the momentum of export activities around hibiscus”.

The Minister also revealed that the period was used to decisively overcome the proximate cause of the suspension of export, “the days of khapra beetle infestation of some of the hibiscus consignments are behind us”.

He pledged that the ministry would work closely with off-takers and exporters through the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) to facilitate the building of chambers dedicated to methyl bromide fumigation of hibiscus.

The Minister commended the Ambassador for his efforts towards ensuring that the compliance issue that stalled the export of Nigeria’s hibiscus to Mexico was resolved during his tenure.

He added that “Nigeria is a large producer of Ginger, Chili Peppers and various, we will love to be Mexico’s importer of choice for these products, our hope is that you will support NAQS  to achieve this mutually beneficial outcome”.

Furthermore, the Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfredo Miranda, snited that his country is deeply involved in strengthening the capacity of the agricultural production, adding that hibiscus value is worth more than 600 million dollars. He further expressed his delight at doing business with Nigeria.