Federal Government of Nigeria has
said that the proposed launching of African single trade market would not
affect Nigerian economy as adequate measures were being put in place to protect
the economy.
said that the proposed launching of African single trade market would not
affect Nigerian economy as adequate measures were being put in place to protect
the economy.
The Chief Negotiator for Continent
Free Trade Area (CFTA), Amb. Chiedu Osakwe, stated this in Abuja on Thursday
night at a joint news conference on the outcome of the just concluded African
Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Free Trade Area (CFTA), Amb. Chiedu Osakwe, stated this in Abuja on Thursday
night at a joint news conference on the outcome of the just concluded African
Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
President Muhammadu Buhari had at
the just concluded 30th AU Head of States and Government Summit pushed for the
establishment of the market which was adopted by the summit.
the just concluded 30th AU Head of States and Government Summit pushed for the
establishment of the market which was adopted by the summit.
Osakwe said that as the scheme is
set to be launched in March 4, Nigeria is bracing up to ensure that it does not
become a dumping ground for counterfeit and substandard products.
set to be launched in March 4, Nigeria is bracing up to ensure that it does not
become a dumping ground for counterfeit and substandard products.
He stressed that the measures would
ensure that the initiative instead of adversely affecting the economy would
rather increase trade within the continent, create more jobs and reduce
poverty.
ensure that the initiative instead of adversely affecting the economy would
rather increase trade within the continent, create more jobs and reduce
poverty.
He said that consultation had
already begun with all the stakeholders including the organised private sectors
made up of manufacturers and other relevant bodies.
already begun with all the stakeholders including the organised private sectors
made up of manufacturers and other relevant bodies.
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Wang Shouwen, Vice-Minister of Commerce China,
DG/Chief Negotiator of Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN) Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe and Nigerian Minister for Trade & Investment Okechukwu Enelamah (Photo Credit: Invest advocate) |
“We will embark on sensitisation
programme, we have been to the Nigeria trade negotiation agency, we have
developed a time table as advised by the presidency to meet with industry group
and private sector.
programme, we have been to the Nigeria trade negotiation agency, we have
developed a time table as advised by the presidency to meet with industry group
and private sector.
“One of our key mandate is to put in place
anti-dumping measures, to safeguard the Nigeria economy from becoming a dumping
ground, we are pulling all the stuff, this is one of the principles to ensure
this is achieved,” he said.
anti-dumping measures, to safeguard the Nigeria economy from becoming a dumping
ground, we are pulling all the stuff, this is one of the principles to ensure
this is achieved,” he said.
A one time Senator, said that
Nigeria as a country would benefit from the project which aims to create a
unified air transport market and complete liberation of intra-africa travel a s
a key component of its regional economy.
Nigeria as a country would benefit from the project which aims to create a
unified air transport market and complete liberation of intra-africa travel a s
a key component of its regional economy.
“AU believes that the initiative will pave way
for a further easing of visa restrictions and will eventually lead to a common
African Passport to promote free movement and trade among African nations,” he
said.
for a further easing of visa restrictions and will eventually lead to a common
African Passport to promote free movement and trade among African nations,” he
said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey
Onyeama described the just concluded Summit as historic with a lot of key and
landmark achievements by the AU leaders.
Onyeama described the just concluded Summit as historic with a lot of key and
landmark achievements by the AU leaders.
Onyeama pointed out that the push by
President Buhari for single African market was not an easy task.According to
him, negotiating with about 55 countries, who have different ideologies and
agenda of their own to agree over an issue was not an easy task for the President.
The question now remain, critically examined, CFTA is going to be a blessing or
a curse to the Continent? The heads of states need to be better tutored about
this to quickly get the confirmation of all.
President Buhari for single African market was not an easy task.According to
him, negotiating with about 55 countries, who have different ideologies and
agenda of their own to agree over an issue was not an easy task for the President.
The question now remain, critically examined, CFTA is going to be a blessing or
a curse to the Continent? The heads of states need to be better tutored about
this to quickly get the confirmation of all.
