By James Emejo
Ahead of its annual conference next month, the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) has called on the federal government to take full advantage of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost the country’s economic development and growth.
The association further advised against making the country a dumping ground for other countries under the agreement.
In a statement, CICAN Chairman, Mr. Frederick Idehai,
also called for stakeholders’ support towards repositioning the national economy.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to quickly diversify her economy through the export and promotion of local agricultural commodities as well as quality policies and initiatives.
He added that the forthcoming conference would equally recommend to the authority ways and strategies to adopt in putting the economy on the path of growth.
The Chairman also expressed concern over difficulties experienced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) following the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The association however, commended the various interventions of the federal government especially through the MSME’s Survival Fund to cushion the devastating impact of COVID-19 on Nigerians.
The annual conference, themed:”The Role Of Nigeria’s MSMEs, Export, Commodities, Trade and Investment in Stabilizing the Post-COVID-19 Economy: Issues and Challenges” is scheduled to take place on October 15 in Abuja.
The event will play host to captains of industry including state governors, chief executives under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and other stakeholders.
