Also, the Vanguard newspaper of Nigeria quoted Gu as saying China will prioritize its relationship with the textile sector in the Kwara state, which is developing a textile industrial park.

 

　　With the oil industry as a major pillar of the economy, plunging oil prices mean the most populous country in Africa has boosted efforts to diversify.

 

　　In January 2015, the country's government launched the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Policy to support the development of these sectors.

 

　　Aisha Abubakar, the Nigerian minister for industry, trade and investment said she is "sure the successful implementation of the CTG policy will indeed bring back the glory" of the sectors, which "used to be the highest employer of labor next to the government" but now has "barely 30 companies operating", the Nigerian newspaper Punch reported on April 5.

 

　　Liu Naiya, a researcher of the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said through making use of its own rich natural resources, such as land, and introducing China's technology, capital and equipment, Nigeria will be able to develop its textile industry rapidly.

 

　　As costs rise, China's labor-intensive textile industry has focused on investment abroad, such as in African countries, while Chinese textile companies investing in these countries will help create jobs and increase tax revenue for the countries, according to Liu.

 

　　He suggested Chinese investors in Africa cooperate more with local companies to set up joint ventures, as well as hire more local people.

 

　　According to China's Ministry of Commerce, Nigeria is the second-largest African market for China's export and China's third-largest African trade partner.

 

　　"Economic and trade cooperation has always been the ballast and propeller of the China-Nigerian relationship," said China's embassy in Nigeria in a news release on April 1.

 

　　wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn