... advocates seamless border trade relationship
Abeokuta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABEOCCIMA), an accredited Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria and Republic of Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further deepen trade, business and bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Tuesday, ABEOCCIMA President, Otunba A. Babs Adesanya, said that promotion of mutual trade and business relationship between Nigeria’s ABEOCCIMA and Republic of Benin’s BCCI is needed to ensure continuous synergy between the two business organizations.
According to him, “Over the few years, ABEOCCIMA has maintained a good trade relationship with Benin Republic Chambers of Commerce to boost trade, relationship for a sustainable economic growth and development”.
“I am therefore elated with this development to have a formal agreement of collaboration so as to enhance trade relation, investment, create opportunities for capacity building, networking and trade facilitation for Chamber members in Nigeria and Benin Republic market at large”.
“I believe that this collaboration will further strengthen the synergy between the two organizations as well as Benin Republic”, he said.
On his part, the Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Monsieur Arnauld Akapko maintained that the trade agreement between Nigeria and Republic of Benin is expected to create a seamless trade window that will fast track visible growth and development.
He said, “with this agreement, we are convinced that it’ll further strengthen the partnership and relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic established over the years”.
“With Nigeria having about five land borders with Benin Republic, this will further afford the business communities to build and operate bilateral trade for mutual development of both countries”.
“This will also afford us the opportunity to review and proffer lasting solutions to increasing challenges facing business operations between Benin Republic and Nigeria (Ogun State)”, he maintained.
In his remark, NACCIMA Vice National President and Former President of Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye, called on governments to remove the bottleneck hindering trade relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic, especially the challenges mitigating against the smooth operation at the approved land borders.
Olaleye however called on governments on the need to facilitate the full implementation of Free Trade Area of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) to guarantee free movement of goods between member countries with no restrictions.
In attendance during the programme include, Mr. Casimir Migan (BCCI 1st Vice President), Mr. Raymond Adjakpa Abile (BCCI Secretary General), Mr. Amiron Akadiri (FEWACCI), and Mr. Michael Saka (BCCI Communication Officer).
Others are, Mr. Timothy Shorunke (ABEOCCIMA 1st Deputy President), Mr. Ibrahim Bada (ABEOCCIMA 2nd Deputy President), Alhaji Nureni Odunmbaku (ABEOCCIMA Council Member) and Alhaji AbdulRamon Maku (ABEOCCIMA Executive Secretary).
The epoch making event also witnessed decoration of ABEOCCIMA members with BCCI crests and medals as ambassadors of Chamber’s French speaking countries.
