In a bid to streamline trade processes and enhance facilitation, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the World Bank Nigeria Team embarked on a joint visit to the Apapa Port. The visit, which included inspections at the Nigeria Shippers Council, Nigeria Customs Service, and APM Terminals, aimed to identify bottlenecks and explore solutions for seamless trade operations.
Representative of Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and investment, Dr Brenda Max-Nduagube (middle) flanker to her right by Mr Mohammed Shuaibu from world Bank and to her left by Mr ManjiPious Lawan, Director, Inspectorate and Compliance Department of Standard Organization of Nigeria, during the world Bank Nigeria Trade team visit to the Apapa office of SON today
Representing the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Dr. Brenda Max-Nduagwuibe emphasized the administration’s commitment to harmonizing and standardizing trade processes through the National Trade Facilitation Committee (eNTFC). The visit sought to gain insight into daily operations, inspection processes, and challenges faced by stakeholders.
World Bank representative Aleksandar Stojanor explained that the team aimed to understand the agencies’ operations, identify challenges, and explore collaboration opportunities for trade facilitation. He highlighted the World Bank’s state-level operation, which enhances interstate trade and seamless movement of goods across states in Nigeria. An upcoming operation will support trade facilitation through the authorized economic operator system with the Customs Service.
Representative of Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and investment, Dr Brenda Max-Nduagube and the world Bank team, in a group photograph with the leadership of Nigeria Shipers Council during the World Bank Nigeria, Trade Team visit to the organisation in Lagos, on Monday.
Nigeria Shippers Council Executive Secretary, Mr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, emphasized the Council’s role in promoting trade facilitation tools like Border Information Centres, Inland Dry Ports, and vehicle transit areas across the country. He assured continued partnership with the World Bank and National Trade Facilitation Committee to facilitate trade and related activities.
During the inspection, the Nigeria Customs Service in Apapa highlighted steps taken to facilitate trade and identified bottlenecks hindering their operations. The collaboration aims to address these challenges and enhance trade facilitation in Nigeria, promoting economic growth and development.