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Freight forwarders groan under foreign domination, inconsistent government policies

By Editor
03 August 2016   |   2:02 am
The Freight Forwarders in the country have bemoaned the pangs of foreign domination and inconsistent government policies on their operations, describing them as inimical to trade flow into the country.
Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment,Okechukwu Enelamah, who was the keynote speaker, described the award as “a welcome initiative and an avenue for inspiring greatness.”

Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment,Okechukwu Enelamah, who was the keynote speaker, described the award as “a welcome initiative and an avenue for inspiring greatness.”<br />

The Freight Forwarders in the country have bemoaned the pangs of foreign domination and inconsistent government policies on their operations, describing them as inimical to trade flow into the country.

The operators, under the aegis of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has therefore enjoined the Federal Government to look into immediate review of its policies especially the implementation of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) agenda.

The group disclosed this during an official visit to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Eyinaya Enelamah, in Abuja.The Deputy National President, Chief Increase Uche, advised the government to take another look at the implementation of the Foreign Direct Investment and try to fine-tune some of its policies hindering the country from harnessing the full potentials of the programme.

NAGAFF listed the stumbling blocks to trade facilitation to include; exclusive control and domination by foreigners, unprofessional conduct by some government agencies, unstable and high forex regime, and uncertainties occasioned by policy somersault, among others, hindering trade flow.

Other factors identified as barrier are; lack of adequate infrastructure; import of fake/substandard/adulterated goods; import bans and restriction of tradable goods; lack of full automation of the clearance process; non-adherence to some global trade treaties; trade malpractices by the importing public; high local shipping/terminal charges; frivolous issuance of notice of under payment; incessant server failure and alert system; and ambushing of containers on the highways by government agencies.

The group therefore urged the minister to set up a consultative forum consisting of relevant stakeholders in the industry to resolve trade disputes that may arise among them, especially with agencies under his ministry.

Also, it called for more collaboration among the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment, FMITI, the Finance as well as Transportation in order to reduce or eradicate constraints to trade facilitation.

“It is our believe that the Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment can create wealth for the nation given it strategic mandate in the overall economy. We believe that concerted efforts are required by all to revive our ailing national economy. The freight forwarding industry as a catalyst to international trade and investment needs to be repositioned especially now that the petro-dollar economy is dwindling. Everything about the Maritime Sector revolves around Industry Trade and Investment,” Uche said.

The minister however assured that Nigeria is at the verge of signing trade relation agreements with some of the countries. He further revealed that his ministry in collaboration with others are poised to removing barriers inhibiting smooth trade flow within the country, adding that government would further encourage local content in every areas of human endeavour, and especially the freight forwarding practice in the country.

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