Post by Trade facilitator on Sept 19, 2011 17:02:45 GMT 1
Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Export Group, Mr Roman Berbaropulous, last Wednesday in Abuja, lamented that 11 years after the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) had been passed, Nigeria is yet to exploit its opportunities.
AGOA was signed into law on May 18, 2000 as Title 1 of The Trade and Development Act of 2000. The Act offers tangible incentives for African countries to continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets.
Speaking as guest during the launch of pamphlets on non-oil export opportunities in Nigeria by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Nigeria Expanded Exports Programme (NEEP), Berbaropulous traced Nigeria’s sluggish response to AGOA when he lamented that it took the country three years to pass the Act.
He said, “It’s painful that Nigeria has not taken advantage of AGOA. If Ghana is doing well, there is no reason Nigeria should lag behind.”
He recalled that when he came to Nigeria in the 80’s, he used to buy locally made clothes and shoes but all this is no more because unbridled importation has killed local industries.
“ECOWAS countries are expecting Nigeria to lead. Unfortunately, Nigeria is letting them down,” he expressed.
Sharon Pauline who is Director of USAID maintained that trade and food security are key to the US government and for this reason, USAID is in full support of agro-based activities.
She said the US would encourage Nigerians to export yam, sesame seed and spices to the US.
Mr Olajide Ibrahim, Director, Special Services, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) said his office had found NEEP an able partner in the drive towards diversification of export business in Nigeria.
Project Director of NEEP, Mr Leon Skarshinski, who said 95 percent of Nigeria’s export is oil related stressed that if Nigeria expands its exports, there will be huge job creation especially in the agric and manufacturing sectors.
Mrs Opeyemi Abebe who reviewed the three pamphlets said the three documents dwelt on guide to registering food facilities with the US Food and Drug Administration, markets for Nigerian sesame exports and wholesome natural products from Nigeria.
Source: www.sunday.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7898:its-painful-nigeria-has-not-taken-advantage-of-agoa--man&catid=41:latest-news&Itemid=26
AGOA was signed into law on May 18, 2000 as Title 1 of The Trade and Development Act of 2000. The Act offers tangible incentives for African countries to continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets.
Speaking as guest during the launch of pamphlets on non-oil export opportunities in Nigeria by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Nigeria Expanded Exports Programme (NEEP), Berbaropulous traced Nigeria’s sluggish response to AGOA when he lamented that it took the country three years to pass the Act.
He said, “It’s painful that Nigeria has not taken advantage of AGOA. If Ghana is doing well, there is no reason Nigeria should lag behind.”
He recalled that when he came to Nigeria in the 80’s, he used to buy locally made clothes and shoes but all this is no more because unbridled importation has killed local industries.
“ECOWAS countries are expecting Nigeria to lead. Unfortunately, Nigeria is letting them down,” he expressed.
Sharon Pauline who is Director of USAID maintained that trade and food security are key to the US government and for this reason, USAID is in full support of agro-based activities.
She said the US would encourage Nigerians to export yam, sesame seed and spices to the US.
Mr Olajide Ibrahim, Director, Special Services, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) said his office had found NEEP an able partner in the drive towards diversification of export business in Nigeria.
Project Director of NEEP, Mr Leon Skarshinski, who said 95 percent of Nigeria’s export is oil related stressed that if Nigeria expands its exports, there will be huge job creation especially in the agric and manufacturing sectors.
Mrs Opeyemi Abebe who reviewed the three pamphlets said the three documents dwelt on guide to registering food facilities with the US Food and Drug Administration, markets for Nigerian sesame exports and wholesome natural products from Nigeria.
Source: www.sunday.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7898:its-painful-nigeria-has-not-taken-advantage-of-agoa--man&catid=41:latest-news&Itemid=26
