Mobolaji Michael
EXPERTS from the International Monetary Fund, IMF and the management team of the Nigeria Customs Service, on Tuesday, held a meeting to review the status of operations concerning the implementation of Rules of Origin under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Speaking during the meeting held in Customs headquarters, Abuja, Janos Nagy, External Expert IMF, stressed the need to strategize on issues militating against the implementation of AfCFTA, and the roles of Customs Administrations in the implementation of the preferential trade agreement.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (RTD), represented by the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of the Tariff and Trade Department, Hamza Gummi, said that the implementation of these types of policies is of great importance to the Service.
Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of the Strategic Research and Policy Department, Adewale Adeniyi, urged delegates to prioritize the mission for the greater good of the country.
“I do hope that the technical working committee would come up with solutions on bottlenecks relating to rules of origin. We also hope to receive a train-the-trainers for some of our selected officers who will impact others in due course,” he said.
The visit, which is expected to last between the 15th to 26th of May 2023, will accommodate a workshop that will address the aspects of trade policies, the role of Customs administrations, and training on WTO rules and free trade agreements, amongst many others.
Eighteen-Eleven Media