THE Federal Government has vowed that it would no longer allow
smuggling and other predatory trade practices to continue
unchecked.
It stated that such negative acts undermine the Nigerian
economic development efforts and destroys local industries, leading
to job losses.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, who
was represented by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigeria
Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Awolowo, gave the
government’s position at the National African Continental Free
Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Forum on Effective Implementation for
Industrialisation and Inclusive Development of Nigeria.
The forum is being co-organised by the United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa (ECA), the European Union, the Manufacturers
Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian Association of Chambers
of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), in
collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC).
Adebayo said: “We also will not allow rogue traders to
manipulate the rules of origin and disguise goods from outside the
continent as made in Africa so as to qualify for duty free passage.
For a successful implementation of AfCFTA, the Federal Government
has constituted a National Action Committee to among others,
coordinate a wide range of actions at the domestic, regional and
continental levels.”
He noted that at the regional and continental levels, the
National Action Committee shall coordinate relevant bodies to
champion programmes to resolve critical challenges.
The minister added that trade policy harmonisation with
neighbours and ECOWAS member states, smuggling and abuse of rules
of origin, growing regional production capacity and value chains,
and enforcing our borders and trade rules would be addressed.
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