National Trade Consultative Forum
June 5-6 2014
Lomé, Togo
Cognizant to the experience of most developed countries and emerging economies and the unequivocal significance and role of trade in stimulating growth and enhancing economic development, Togo's National Trade Consultative Forum (NTCF) was convened in Lomé Togo to promote and enhance multi-stakeholder policy dialogue and advocacy on trade, and to provide a platform to debate and exchange views on all the critical issues relating to trade at the national, regional or global levels.
The Forum's objectives were to review key trade and trade related issues and challenges of Togo in respect of domestic, regional and international trade, deliberate and agree on common approaches and solutions to address the key challenges identified and discuss and agree on an implementation plan with clear targets, timelines and expected outcomes in respect of the national regional and international trade.
The Forum was attended by Togolese Prime Minister, twelve ministers and over two hundred participants which consists of Government officials from key ministries, departments & agencies whose functions impact on trade, parliamentarians, private sector operators (large, medium, small and micro entrepreneurs), civil society, academia, organizations providing business support services to the private sector, financial institutions, gender and Environment Advocates, development partners and media. In his opening remarks, the Prime Minster of Togo emphasized the important role trade plays in raising incomes of people and urged the Government to create an enabling environment for the private sector to carry out their businesses objectives.
The two days Forum discussed, deliberated and made proposals on issues relating to trade facilitation, BIAT and CFTA and support to support the private sector. The Forum inputs will feed into trade priority sector programmes to be implemented by Togo Ministry of Trade.
