The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has revealed that the ministry had concluded arrangements to facilitate the development of one Agro-processing zone in each senatorial district of the six geo-political zones of the Federation.
This disclosure was made in Abuja at this year’s Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) Annual Conference by the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Katagum.
Katagum while addressing journalists at the conference with the theme: “The Role of Nigeria’s MSMEs, Export, Commodities, Trade & Investment in stabilizing the Post Covid-19 Economy: Issues & Challenges,” said the present administration was strategically repositioning MSMEs landscape towards achieving its full potentials to contribute more to the economy.
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“This is in addition to the deliberate and pragmatic policies geared towards supporting and sustaining small businesses in the country, thereby equipping entrepreneurs to compete globally, especially under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).
“These policies are aimed at boosting productivity levels of businesses in the country, thereby accelerating the growth of the domestic market and creating profitable connections to regional, continental and global markets,” she explained.
AfCFTA was developed to allow Africans to travel, work and live within the continent by transforming restrictive laws and promoting visa – free travel to enhance the movement of all African citizens in all African countries.
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Chairman of CICAN, Abuja, Mr. Frederick Idehai in his welcome address called for robust collaboration between CICAN members and several agencies under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment for effective coverage of economic issues to engender national development.
Idehai also cautioned the government to guard against making Nigeria a dumping ground for products and services in the implementation of AfCFTA.
