The President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) during the 2019 Edition of the MAN Annual Media Luncheon for Commerce and Industry Correspondents said the position of the Association that Government should not sign the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) Framework Agreement until wide reaching sensitization and proper assessment are conducted on its impact on the economy and the manufacturing sector remains unchanged.
MAN President Engr. Mansur Ahmed recommended the need for Government to do proper assessment of the impact to ascertain how beneficial AfCFTA would be to Nigeria and provide necessary adjustment costs as well as competitiveness enhancing infrastructure before deciding whether to sign or not.
Our advocacy on AfCFTA is yielding desired results, said the President. As you are aware, Nigeria is yet to sign the Framework Agreement, Government has conducted sensitization programmes nationwide and President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) has set up a Presidential Committee on Impact and Readiness of Nigeria for AfCTA. MAN is a functional member of this committee that is billed to submit its report to PMB early February 2019.
MAN President noted that, MAN being a proactive organisation that strongly believes in evidence-based advocacy commissioned a sector specific study on AfCFTA. We have shared the study, full report and fact sheets on the highlights of findings with the Presidential Committee on AfCFTA, he added.
“We are confident that the eventual position of Nigeria on the AfCFTA Framework Agreement would be well articulated in a fresh National Negotiation Mandate that is in the best interest of the manufacturing sector and indeed the Nigerian economy while paying utmost attention to emerging issues on AfCFTA and ensure that the industrial aspiration of the country is not compromised on the platter of free trade.
“No doubt, the socio-economic, political and manufacturing operating environment related challenges ahead appear enormous.
MAN is well equipped to effectively respond with appropriate advocacy and strategically position for beneficial partnership with all tiers of Government including Ministries, Departments and Agencies required to promote friendlier operating environment in 2019 and beyond.
The Caption Photo: The President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Engr. Mansur Ahmed
