Shippers’ Council urges trade partners to grow economies of nations

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello, on Monday urged trade partners to work together globally to grow the economies of nations.

Bello made the plea during a visit to the Council’s Headquarters in Lagos by the World Bank team on Support Mission to Nigeria on implementation of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team was at the council to facilitate implementation of Trade Agreement.

“Facilitation is very important and no country can trade alone without the support of others,’’ NAN quotes him as saying.

“We know that the issue of trade facilitation has taken the front burner at global level.

“Nigeria is working seriously to ratify the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) as this is imperative for boosting the nation’s competitiveness and successfully integrating it into the regional and global trading systems.

“This is to enhance our economic growth and development, “ the executive secretary said.

He said that the NSC as the ports economic regulator had been streamlining trade through its various activities including the establishment of Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and Container Freight Stations (CFS).

The executive secretary said that other activities included deregulation of freight forwarding practices; enhancing competitiveness; and making Nigeria attain a regional maritime hub.

Bello said that there was need for continuous collaboration in the area of trade so as to achieve the expected result.

The executive secretary also said that there was need to support automation system at the ports, adding that the goods had to be cleared immediately they arrived at the ports.

Speaking earlier, the Ambassador of Nigeria to World Trade Organisation in Geneva, Mr Ademola Adejumo, expressed dismay over the ranking of Nigeria globally in the cost of doing business.

Adejumo, however, said that the mission would do its best in placing Nigeria in the right position to make the country “an investment haven’’.

He said that the group would appreciate it, if maximum support could be given to it in accomplishing its mission.

Also speaking, the Head of the delegation, Mr Manuel Henriques, commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for the support it had been receiving as members of the trade facilitation mission.

According to him, the importance of TFA could not be over-emphasised in the trade facilitation.

Henriques said that member nations were expected to make submissions to World Bank in accordance with WTO’s agreement.

“Once we have achieved at least two third of ratification of membership countries, I think we can now carry on with our mission globally, “ NAN quotes him as saying.

He expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts of the World Trade Group would have positive impact on the global economy.

Henriques said that the group was struggling in ensuring that Nigeria attain appreciable standard in global ranking in the cost of doing business.