Stakeholders in manufacturing hub in Anambra State, has held a seminar to brainstorm on how to position and strengthen the sector to be competitive in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The discussions formed part of the “Strengthening structures and framework for the participate competitively in the AfCFTA” project being implemented.
Tribune Online gathered that the seminar was jointly organised by UB Brima Investment and Logistics Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Anambra State office.
The event with the theme ‘Unlocking the African Frontiers for Export Opportunities Utillizing the African Trade House in Cameroon as a Veritable Access to Central Africa’ was held at the State Secretariat conference hall Awka, on Tuesday.
Key among the participants were the representatives of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and other captains of industries who are expected to play significant roles in the AfCFTA vision, especially at the local levels, given that local Manufacturers trading remains one of the important drivers of economic growth as envisioned in the pact.
Addressing the participants, the Managing Director and Executive Officer of UB Brima Investment and Logistics Nigeria Limited, Mr. Rouben Tamba Nyepgang, aid the aimed of the seminar is to encouraged manufacturers in Anambra State how to expose and moved their products to Cameron and across other Central Africa Region.
According to him, the establishment of AfCFTA, is expected to boost intra- Africa trade, increase value chain development, increase investment in various sectors of the economy, improve Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), create employment opportunities and lift uncountable Africans out of poverty and deprivation.
Mr Nyepgang informed the participants that the Trade House build by UB Brima Investment and Logistics Nigeria Limited in Cameroon and Ghana respectively, have the capacity to accommodate 80 percent made-in-Nigeria goods
He noted that as a Cameronian and entrepreneur, who has live in Nigeria for 19-years, work hard to promote made-in-Nigeria goods
While urging the participants, particularly, the manufacturers to partner with his company for effect service delivery, Mr. Nyepgang argue that exportation remained one of the major way to strengthen Africa economy.
The Anambra State Coordinator of NEPC, Mr Peter Udoh, in his brief remark called for a sustained collaboration between UB Brima Investment and Logistics Nigeria Limited Limited, the Anambra Manufacturers and all other relevant stakeholders to moved the continent economically forward.
One of the participant and the Managing Director of Obikason Agribusiness Nigeria, Mr. Obianika Ebuka, who spoke to Nigerian Tribune in an interview shortly after the programme, urged other producers in the state and Nigeria as a whole to boldly key into exportation businesses in order to showcase made-in-Nigeria goods to other Africa countries.
Obianika while describing export as economic marathon, expressed the need for institutions to drive, facilitate and help position smallholder farmers/ producers on the right pathways to achieve objectives of the AfCFTA.
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