We have coordinated the signing of over 30 Bilateral agreements and MOUs- Onyeama.. Says Helpdesk to offer consular assistance to citizens in progress
Oru Leonard
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, has said that the Ministry has coordinated the signing of over 30 Bilateral agreements and MOUs which has led to an increase in trade between Nigeria and South Africa, and in favour of Nigeria.
Onyeama who stated this on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration Scorecard 2015-2023 Series held in Abuja, disclosed that an estimated South Africa imports of $2.16 billion goods from Nigeria and exports $530.2 million worth of goods to Nigeria.
According to him, “A number of US companies invested in Nigeria between 2017 and 2018. The investments were in the areas of construction, education, oil and gas, and real estate, agriculture, among others. In 2021, the US government announced $2.1 billion development assistance agreements with Nigeria.
“Signed and ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to optimize trading among Africans, including that of other international trade platforms, to promote market access for our numerous made-in-Nigeria goods and services. We believe the promotion of SMEs towards poverty alleviation is one of those deliverables.”
His Excellency, Onyeama also said that his Ministry has completed a digital portal, Nigeria Global Business Match (NGBM), that will match Nigerian businesses and skilled professionals with global opportunities, leveraging Nigeria’s physical presence in over 100 countries.
He disclosed, that currently, 24 Nigerian businesses with the capacity to export and four foreign businesses are interacting on the platform, while three Nigerian professionals interested in job opportunities in Nigeria are registered.
“The Nigeria Global Business Match (NGBM) is a Digital Online Match-making Portal developed to provide access and connectivity to foreign businesses or investors for verified Nigerian businesses and skilled professionals, leveraging Nigeria’s Diplomatic presence in over 100 countries to drive foreign direct investments into the country.
“The Ministry has extended Ministerial Committee constituted to enrol Foreign and Local Businesses, Produce an acceptable use policy and Plan the Official Launch of the portal”, he explained.
The Minister further announced that the Ministry is also in the process of launching a Helpdesk to offer consular assistance to citizens via voice, email and instant messages and has also begun automating its Note Verbale for Visa issuance to enhance credibility, transparency and accountability.
According to him, “Nigeria Global Citizens Helpdesk (NGCHD) is an Omni Channel Helpdesk that will track complaints and enquiries from citizens in the diaspora and provide them with relevant information and support, as well as enhance the effectiveness of consular services at the Headquarters and Foreign Missions”.
