Governor calls for more cooperation among ECOWAS states

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has called for more cooperation among ECOWAS member states, especially in information dissemination to private and public sectors.

The governor made the call on Thursday in Ilorin while declaring open‎ a one-day ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme Workshop organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said the workshop was to ensure effective coordination‎ of the schemes’ agencies in member states.

Represented by his Deputy, Elder Peter Kisira, Ahmed explained that only few businesses were aware of the benefits of the scheme and urged organisers of the workshop to increase awareness aboutit, especially at the grassroots.

The governor said that the scheme would spur economic growth through the removal of trade barriers, create jobs and lower consumer prices.

He assured that the state government would continue to aid and partner with relevant bodies to improve its economy.

Ahmed noted that Africa was emerging as an attractive investment destination and key market for goods and services, stressing the need for economic regional and sub regional cooperation among countries on the continent.

He commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kwara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KWACCIMA) and the private sector for organising the workshop, which he noted would promote cooperation and integration among ECOWAS member states.

‎The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Bukar-Ibrahim noted that Nigeria contribute 65 per cent of funding of ECOWAS activities and urged industrialists to take advantage of the vision of the liberalisation scheme.

The minister, represented by the Director in charge of ECOWAS, Alhaji Isiaka Imam, urged state governments to collaborate with KWACCIMA and other bodies to improve the operations of the scheme.

The Kwara Commissioner for Commerce and Cooperatives, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed, said the aim of the workshop was to sensitise ‎participants on how best to package their produce for export to other ECOWAS countries.

He said the workshop was also to train them on ease of doing business among West African states to promote the earning of foreign exchange.

The President of KWACCIMA, Alhaji Ahmed Raji, called on government at all levels and the business community to show interest and take more proactive steps to benefit from the noble venture to improve business landscape in the state.