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Africa: Ethiopia, Nigeria to Strengthen Trade Ties
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Daily Trust (Abuja)
23 April 2008
Posted to the web 25 April 2008
Sunday Williams
Abuja
All is now set for Ethiopia and Nigeria to strengthen their trade relationship which has not been good overtime, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Suleiman Dedefo said yesterday.
Addressing newsmen on the forthcoming Ethiopian-Nigerian trade and tourism forum in celebration of the Ethiopian Millennium in Abuja, the Ambassador said prior to this time there has not been any meaningful bilateral trade between the two countries.
He said, "We virtually don't export anything from Nigeria and likewise Nigeria from our country. Does it mean that we don't have anything that will be needed in Nigeria or Nigeria doesn't have anything that will be needed in our country and yet the two countries do trade with other non-African countries?"
He said the major problem militating against the trade relations is lack of proper knowledge of the two peoples and their investment potentials which the trade forum intends to showcase.
"The objective of the trade forum is to bring together policy makers and entrepreneurs from both countries to share information on business opportunities and explore policy framework of the Millennium celebrations in Nigeria."
He called on Nigeria especially the private sectors to take advantage of the business forum by participating actively and ensure its success.
Speaking on the forum, the Chairman, Africa Business roundtable and Chairman of NEPAD business group Africa, Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Tukur said the millennium celebration is very important for Africa as the Ethiopians are the only country in the continent of that was never conquered by any colonial power.
He said the trade and tourism forum is a welcome development as it will open more opportunities of investment between the two countries and the continent at large
In his contribution, the President of Ethiopia-Nigeria Business Association, Mr. Goodie Ibru said the greatest challenge facing Africa today is the creation of wealth adding that with the introduction of the NEPAD policy, things will change.
He said one important feature of the new economy policy is inward looking saying the future of Africa is in the hands of Africans.
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He said, "The only way we can look inward is to walk together and that is why we find the African millennium celebrations and the trade forum very apt and timely because it gives us an opportunity to identify with brother African state and share their joy in this occasion."
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