By Ebele Iyke- Odili
The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to securing trade corridors and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and compete effectively in the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Mr. Nomso Chukwuma Ebonwu, stated this while representing the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, at a statewide stakeholders’ sensitisation seminar organised by the Importers Association of Nigeria, IMAN, in collaboration with the Anambra State Government.
Held at Hollywood Event Centre, Awka, the seminar was themed, “Securing Trade Corridors and Unlocking Blue Economy Opportunities: Positioning Anambra State for Safe Commerce, AfCFTA Competitiveness and Sustainable Economic Growth.”
Mr. Ebonwu said Anambra was driven by enterprise, manufacturing, commerce and innovation, stressing that government’s responsibility was to create an enabling environment that would translate these strengths into increased investment, productive employment, expanded exports and sustainable economic growth.
He identified trade facilitation, secure supply chains, efficient logistics, inland waterways, product standards and AfCFTA market access as interconnected elements necessary for building a modern and competitive economy.
The lead speaker, Dr. Obiora Madu, explained that a trade corridor was not merely a road but a seamless area through which goods moved, challenging stakeholders to explore ways of securing corridors and achieving end-to-end visibility of goods.
Dr. Madu also called for stronger efforts to connect Anambra’s economy more effectively to opportunities presented by the AfCFTA, while encouraging stakeholders to adopt practical measures that would facilitate safe and efficient movement of goods.
The National Patron of IMAN, Ozo Dr. Azubuike Ekweozor, Ide Umuawulu, who hosted and sponsored the seminar, said commerce flourished where there were security, confidence, infrastructure, sound regulation and opportunities.
He urged stakeholders to develop practical partnerships and sustainable solutions that would extend beyond the seminar, while representatives of the Police, DSS, Nigerian Navy and Nigeria Customs Service stressed the importance of securing trade corridors.
Representing NAFDAC, Dr. Luwise Madubuta emphasised the importance of product quality and regulatory enforcement, reiterating the agency’s zero tolerance for fake and substandard products in Anambra State.
The two-day engagement brought together government, security agencies, regulators, importers, manufacturers and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration around safer trade corridors, Blue Economy opportunities and greater participation of Anambra businesses in AfCFTA.
Ebele is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State.
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