Agric PS hails AFCFTA working group to expand market

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Dr. Ernest Umakhihe has commended the inauguration of the working group for the effectiveness of expansion of  free trade for African agricultural produce and other services saying the initiative would enhance a single continental market with reduced tariffs without barriers.

Dr. Umakhihe said this in a statement signed by Obe Mbosire Mabel, an information officer the ministry yesterday and made it available to the media.

He stated that AfCFTA agreement would be the largest trade and investment block agreement since the creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO), adding that ‘’the opportunities will boost intra African trade amongst 1.2 billion people and a cumulative GDP of $3.4 Trillion’’

Umakhihe noted that the National Action Committee (NAC) of the AfCFTA was constituted by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari on 20th December 2019 to coordinate the inclusive implementation processes for relevant stakeholders to assess the trade readiness, adding that the Minister of state, FMARD was a member of the committee.

The press release quoted the PS as saying that TWG would serve as the focal point for AfCFTA  on Agriculture and Agribusiness as the ministry will provide secretariat and relevant inputs  relating to the Agriculture adding that  ‘’ to maintain the highest level of dedication, efficiency and develop strategic initiatives that will ensure seamless implementation of all aspects of the AfCFTA process that concerns the sector especially, as it relates to periodic tracking and data collection on productivity, market access, standards, and safety of agricultural products as well as wealth and job creation’’

The press statement had the chairman of the TWG, also the Deputy Director (DD) of the Ministry, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu promised that the committee would work assiduously to ensure that the Agricultural component of the AfCFTA delivers on its mandates.