Post by Trade facilitator on Mar 28, 2012 14:10:03 GMT 1
Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Tuesday said Nigeria would partner other Commonwealth countries in the development of the nation’s non-oil sector.
He stated this at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Regional Workshop on Export Competitiveness Strategies in Abuja.
Eight countries are currently participating in the three-day event. They are Nigeria, Singapore, Kenya, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Gambia and Uganda
Aganga, who was represented by the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, said that the ministry had embarked on far-reaching reforms to improve Nigeria’s business climate, adding that the target of the ministry is to improve Nigeria’s competitiveness ranking from its present 133 out of 183 countries to a modest top 30, over the next three years.
He said: “There is no doubt that non-oil exports play a very critical role in the economic transformation, development and growth of African countries. Indeed, exports should play such a role in every country, whether developed, developing or least developed. Therefore, striving to be competitive in the international market-place is certainly one of the basic foundations for economic growth. The main thrust of the current government in Nigeria is premised on an economic transformation agenda which includes a very aggressive and effective export drive.
“Non-oil export holds the key to Nigeria’s future economic greatness, and the speedy attainment of Mr. President’s transformation agenda.
Accordingly, Government, at the very highest levels, is willing and ready to provide as much support as may be needed towards the continued competitiveness of Nigeria’s exports and the ability of Nigerian exporters to positively compete with their peers around the globe.
The ministry has set a lofty target of improving Nigeria’s competitiveness ranking from its present 133 out of one 183 countries to a modest (or ambitious) top 30, over the next three years. We are aware that participation and performance in the international market place is a matter of ensuring competitiveness. We are ready to collaborate with the Commonwealth Development Corporation to ensure the growth and development of the non-oil sector in Nigeria as well as other African countries.”
Aganga noted that the Ministry had begun the review of Nigeria’s Trade Policies as part of deliberate efforts to boost domestic, regional and international trade.
He said: “At the Ministry level, we have developed strategies aimed at developing our domestic, regional and global trade. On assuming duties as Minister in charge of the newly created Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, I have adopted a clear mission of transforming the new and refocused Ministry and ensure that it takes its rightful place as the driver of the Nigerian economy. Our efforts and energy are being applied towards increasing investments, expanding trade, developing industries and promoting enterprises.
“A comprehensive review of Nigeria’s Trade Policy is currently being finalised. This is the first time in over ten years that the country’s trade policy is being reviewed. We have embarked on an aggressive diversification through an action plan for accelerated implementation of the Nigerian National Export Strategy and the Women in Export Development Programme (2012-2015). Also, we have developed strategies for boosting Nigeria’s export drive through development of new, value-added products and assisting Nigerian exporters with consultancy services to develop market entry strategies for new markets.
“In collaboration with NEXIM, we are establishing a regional maritime transport to facilitate distribution of Nigerian products in ECOWAS. This is being done through the SEA-LINK initiative with support from ADB, to address the challenge of freighting Nigerian products into the ECOWAS market. At the end of these three days of learning from and experience sharing with one another, we would be able to come up with a template that should be adaptable in our respective countries on how to improve our national competitiveness in the international market place. The time has come for Africa to turn around the unfair situation that sees the continent producing what she does not consume and consuming what she does not produce.”
Speaking also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Dr. Dauda Kigbu, said the forum provided a platform for Common wealth countries to share ideas on how to boost export in their respective countries.
Kigbu, who was represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Mr. David Adulugba, said: “The increasing globalisation of trade , the emergence of blocs and technological advancement necessitate for inter-dependence of nations. Trade provides the means through which the needs of the people are met. Export, as an important component of trade, ensures that goods and services move to countries where they are needed.”
Source: . thisdaylive. com/articles/nigeria-c-wealth-countries-partner- on-non-oil -sector-devt/112449/
He stated this at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Regional Workshop on Export Competitiveness Strategies in Abuja.
Eight countries are currently participating in the three-day event. They are Nigeria, Singapore, Kenya, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Gambia and Uganda
Aganga, who was represented by the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, said that the ministry had embarked on far-reaching reforms to improve Nigeria’s business climate, adding that the target of the ministry is to improve Nigeria’s competitiveness ranking from its present 133 out of 183 countries to a modest top 30, over the next three years.
He said: “There is no doubt that non-oil exports play a very critical role in the economic transformation, development and growth of African countries. Indeed, exports should play such a role in every country, whether developed, developing or least developed. Therefore, striving to be competitive in the international market-place is certainly one of the basic foundations for economic growth. The main thrust of the current government in Nigeria is premised on an economic transformation agenda which includes a very aggressive and effective export drive.
“Non-oil export holds the key to Nigeria’s future economic greatness, and the speedy attainment of Mr. President’s transformation agenda.
Accordingly, Government, at the very highest levels, is willing and ready to provide as much support as may be needed towards the continued competitiveness of Nigeria’s exports and the ability of Nigerian exporters to positively compete with their peers around the globe.
The ministry has set a lofty target of improving Nigeria’s competitiveness ranking from its present 133 out of one 183 countries to a modest (or ambitious) top 30, over the next three years. We are aware that participation and performance in the international market place is a matter of ensuring competitiveness. We are ready to collaborate with the Commonwealth Development Corporation to ensure the growth and development of the non-oil sector in Nigeria as well as other African countries.”
Aganga noted that the Ministry had begun the review of Nigeria’s Trade Policies as part of deliberate efforts to boost domestic, regional and international trade.
He said: “At the Ministry level, we have developed strategies aimed at developing our domestic, regional and global trade. On assuming duties as Minister in charge of the newly created Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, I have adopted a clear mission of transforming the new and refocused Ministry and ensure that it takes its rightful place as the driver of the Nigerian economy. Our efforts and energy are being applied towards increasing investments, expanding trade, developing industries and promoting enterprises.
“A comprehensive review of Nigeria’s Trade Policy is currently being finalised. This is the first time in over ten years that the country’s trade policy is being reviewed. We have embarked on an aggressive diversification through an action plan for accelerated implementation of the Nigerian National Export Strategy and the Women in Export Development Programme (2012-2015). Also, we have developed strategies for boosting Nigeria’s export drive through development of new, value-added products and assisting Nigerian exporters with consultancy services to develop market entry strategies for new markets.
“In collaboration with NEXIM, we are establishing a regional maritime transport to facilitate distribution of Nigerian products in ECOWAS. This is being done through the SEA-LINK initiative with support from ADB, to address the challenge of freighting Nigerian products into the ECOWAS market. At the end of these three days of learning from and experience sharing with one another, we would be able to come up with a template that should be adaptable in our respective countries on how to improve our national competitiveness in the international market place. The time has come for Africa to turn around the unfair situation that sees the continent producing what she does not consume and consuming what she does not produce.”
Speaking also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Dr. Dauda Kigbu, said the forum provided a platform for Common wealth countries to share ideas on how to boost export in their respective countries.
Kigbu, who was represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Mr. David Adulugba, said: “The increasing globalisation of trade , the emergence of blocs and technological advancement necessitate for inter-dependence of nations. Trade provides the means through which the needs of the people are met. Export, as an important component of trade, ensures that goods and services move to countries where they are needed.”
Source: . thisdaylive. com/articles/nigeria-c-wealth-countries-partner- on-non-oil -sector-devt/112449/
