Nigeria’s delegation to the on-going 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), led by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has sought the collaboration of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in the area of Digital and Marine economies.
Addressing the Media, shortly after a courtesy visit to the Director General of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, in her office in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, Senator Akpabio said the delegation were at the WTO to look for areas of collaboration with the organisation in the various sectors of the economy for the overall benefit of Nigerians.
According to Akpabio, issues affecting trade in Nigeria and ways the National Assembly can assist in removing barriers, through legislation for the benefit of the country were discussed.
The President of the Senate further stated that issues of regulations on Digital economic contents, illegal finishing along the coastal States of Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa, and how
Nigerian women could benefit from the recent program funded by the WTO, were top priorities in the discussions.
He hinted on plans for the establishment of a Digital trade portal, wherein all trade information could be accessed by the people .
Akpabio noted that, “the deliberations were fruitful and he is confident that with the support of WTO, Nigerians will benefit from the outcomes of the meeting.”
In his brief remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, noted that the delegation will be going back with assurances that Nigeria have seen a space for Africa to thrive in business and trade.
The WTO Chief, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala described the visit of the Senate President and the Deputy Speaker, to her office as “a huge honour” that will bring about a difference for Nigerians in the trade system.
She stressed on some recent programs launched by the WTO, as well as trade facilities to help in improving vital sanitary standards for some of the crops in Nigeria, in order to help in diversifying the economy to fisheries and mining of the waters of Nigeria.
Editor: Ken Eseni
