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Nigeria: Country, Niger Collaborate On Economic Empowerment
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Leadership (Abuja)
12 December 2007
Posted to the web 12 December 2007
Clem Khena-Ogbena
Abuja
The Nigerian and Nigerien governments have considered ways of enhancing the already existing economic cooperation between the two countries.
The two nations brainstormed on the formalization of border markets between them; concern expressed by Nigeria over the smuggling of textile materials and other goods from China into Nigeria through Niger; common front on Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with European Union (EU) countries; areas of cooperation and transportation; and development of cluster industries to enhance economic growth of the two countries, at a meeting on bilateral relationship, in Abuja, where the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry minister, Engr. Charles Ugwuh and his Nigerien counterpart, Mr. Halidou Badje also discussed other issues of mutual interest.
The meeting which was equally attended by the Nigerien Minister of Competitiveness and High Living Standards, recommended that an independent study that is not funded by the EU be embarked upon with a view to doing an assessment on the impact of signing the agreement. Such study is also expected to determine the effects of the agreement on countries that will be negatively affected by reversing to the General System Preferences(GSP) by the EU, if the agreement was not signed.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the one-day meeting, the two countries acknowledged the need to give serious thought to the opening of air route between them, adding that private airlines in both countries be advised to do a market survey to explore commercial viability of the route.
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Besides, the meeting advised on the need to have an air route of Niamey-Sokoto-Abuja-Lagos to take care of air transportation need of the people of the two countries.The two countries also noted that communication and transportation are very important in facilitating economic activities between the two countries which would ensure improved living standards for the people of the two nations, insisting that discussions be opened on both sides with the Telecoms Service Provider(CELTEL) to ensure access and connectivity.
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