Private Sector Must Be Ready To Deploy All State Apparatus To Support Nigeria’s Participation In AfCFTA.

Oru Leonard

the President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Al-mujtaba Abubakar, has said that the organised private sector must be ready to to capitalize on the readiness of the government to deploy all state apparatus in support of Nigeria’s participation in AfCFTA.

Dr. Abubakar stated this during his welcome remarks at the opening ceremony of the 16 ACCI International Trade Fair held at Abuja on Monday.

He noted that the Chamber in realization that the private sector is a relevant partner of government to deliver on the benefits of AfCFTA, decided to choose a theme relating to it.

According to him, “For Nigeria to benefit from AfCFTA and retain her position as the biggest economy on the continent, we must continue to work to improve our records on ease of doing business. In addition to the action plans already created by the national AfCFTA committee, a deliberate emergency action must be taken to ease the export process, ensure a single export clearing desk for exporters, force regulators to become facilitators declare export facilitation as a national emergency.

“As a nation facing low export and high import and facing stiff competition from over 50 nations under AfCFTA, we must take export mobilisation as an emergency. The Presidency should summon leaders of agencies in the export sector to enforce single desk clearance for exporters. This is the only way to ensure Nigeria’s competitiveness and strength as the biggest economy on the continent”

He also said the Chamber has emerged as a strong voice of the private sector that presents policy support to government to resolve many national business challenges.

He enjoined every Nigeria entrepreneur to take advantage of the opportunities provided by AfFCTA to improve their business and get connected to other African markets and beyond.

Buttressing the above, the President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar cited example of high quality products on display at the Trade Fair noting that Nigeria Micro Medium and Small-scale Enterprises (MSMEs) are indeed ready to take over African markets.

Dr. Abubakar said the importance of AfCFTA is underscore by the full support of government towards preparing the nation to explore the opportunities the AfCFTA platform has provided.

“As Nigeria is grooming her business for continental trade, other African nations are also in the same race. This is where the organised private sector becomes a critically relevant partner of government to deliver on the benefits of AfCFTA”, he said.

Meanwhile, stakeholders  who attended the have urged the private sector to support the Nigerian government to deliver on the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which promises to integrate Africa economically and build trade connectivity for collective prosperity.

In a special goodwill message, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Mr. Ide Udeagbala opined that the theme is timely in view of the attention AfCFTA has received and its potential benefits to the growth of the economy.

While stating that the main task is to capacitate the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to compete favourably, he added that NACCIMA will continue to promote policies that encourage private sector driven economy, maintain a network of national and international business contact and opportunities, and promote forums such as the the Trade Fair.

He called on govt at all level to work closely with the Chambers of Commerce to give opportunity to the private sector for the benefit of all.

In his own address, the Chairman, ACCI Trade Centre, Dr. Johnson Anene, said the Trade Fair has evolved over the years and has improved on previous performance, adding that this year’s edition promises to be enriching, beneficial and profitable to all stakeholders as well as those who will come to buy and make new contact.
Speaking on the theme, he pointed out that there are a lot of opportunities wrapped within the AfCFTA, and Nigeria needs to start taking advantage of the opportunities.
“This year, we are trying to push forward what the opportunities present to Nigeria’s organised sector especially the SMEs sector. We are very happy that we are here to explore the opportunities together”, he said.

Government and private sectors leaders including Dangote group on Monday described Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) as a strong facilitation platform for Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfFCTA).

Government leaders from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) led by Otunba Niyi Adebayo, heads of critical economic and Federal Agencies noted that the 16th AITF has confirmed that Nigeria is ready for AfCFTA.

The President of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), John Udeagbala explained that over time Abuja International Trade Fair has enabled Nigeria businesses to upgrade their capacity for packaging, innovation and standardisation of their products for export.

This year’s trade fair is the 16th edition themed, “Exploring Opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).