By Ikeugonna Eleke
The Federal Government has called on business concerns in the South East Region to take advantage of opportunities offered by the ECOWAS Free Trade Liberation Scheme (ETLS) to boost their businesses
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, made the call, Tuesday, during a workshop on ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) in Awka, Anambra State Capital.
The workshop, with the theme: ”Exploring the Benefit of ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme in the Region”, was organised by the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) for manufacturers, importers, exporters and small, medium enterprises, SMEs, in the five states of the South East Region.
The Minister who was represented by the Director, Department of International Organisation in the Ministry, Ambassador Obinna Onowu, enumerated some of the benefits of gains and opportunities offered by the ETLS.
He said, ‘The primary goal is to establish a customs union among all member states (ECOWAS) with the ultimate objective of completely eliminating customs duties and implementing a unified customs policy.
‘The ETLS represents an ideal opportunity to foster greater economic integration, and unlock the immense potential of intra-regional trade.
He stated that already the Ministry had organised similar sensitization in Kano in 2020, and, in Lagos in 2023 for manufacturers, importers and exporters in the Northwest and Southwest Zones, respectively, but emphasized that the Ministry viewed holding the programme in the Southeast as very critical because of the huge number of the stakeholders in the region.
Another official of the Ministry, Mr. Yohanna Zacks, Head of ECOWAS Unit Trade, stated that ETLS synergized with the African Continent Free Trade Area, AFCTA, and that the relationship created a seamless gateway for free customs duties trade for bonafide manufacturers and traders under ETLS.
Earlier, the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the sensitization workshop.
He stated that the awareness being created among manufacturers and traders would help them improve on their income and contribute to boosting of the economy of the region.
