As part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia, the two countries on Sunday signed multi-billion naira long-term agreements on airlines and aircraft maintenance. This is coming as the bilateral trade volume between the countries hits $2.2 billion.

The agreement and contracts are between GMF Aeroasia, Indonesia with its Nigerian counterparts, including Kabo Air, Silverback Africa, Hak Air, Max Air and Service Air Ltd. Other trade agreements were between the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (NACCIMA) and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, in his remarks, said the agreement would strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries.
The minister also sought the cooperation of Indonesian in the area of power, infrastructure, agriculture, ICT and banking.

He said Nigeria, with a population of over 160 million people, was blessed with human, minerals resources and a market advantage because of its strategic location in Africa.

Aganga, who said that Nigeria had since started an industrial revolution, planned to become number one industrialised country in the continent and one of the 10 biggest economies in the world.

He said that Nigeria had a strong industrial base and efficient services sector. He said the trade volume between the countries was over two billion dollars, adding that the countries would work together to double the trade volume by 2015.