Don't Miss

Stakeholders hail FG on EU/ECOWAS trade agreement

By BusinessNews Staff on April 12, 2014

The National Association of Nigerian Traders has commended the Federal Government for not signing the trade liberalisation agreement being pushed forward by the European Union under the Economic Partnership Agreement with the Economic Community of West African States.

In a letter to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, entitled, ‘Commendations for your patriotic actions on the EPA,’ dated April 7, 2014, the National President, NANTS, Mr. Ken Ukoha, said the traders and the private sector were satisfied with the minister’s role in carrying all the critical stakeholders along during the negotiations with the EU and ECOWAS.

He said, “I write to personally appreciate and commend you for the most patriotic approach you adopted at ensuring that Nigeria still holds the ace in the ongoing EPA negotiations between West Africa and the European Union.

“It is indeed important to reiterate that you have, by your choice of a blend of due diligence, diplomacy and technicality, given Nigerians, and specifically the Nigerian private sector and industries, great hope for the future despite the current challenges faced in our developmental strides.

“On behalf of the private sector and the civil society, may I seek your kind permission to say, we are proud of you as the minister in charge of our constituency at this time in history.”

The association, however, drew the attention of the minister to the fact that the ECOWAS member countries needed to prepare their positions in a more articulate manner.

[Punch]

headline