By Felix Khanoba
No fewer than 195 officials drawn from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have so far undergone training on trade negotiation’s skills aimed at attracting improved agreements in African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other international deals.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, made this known at the opening session of third Trade Negotiation Skills (TNS) Simulation Course , organised by the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN) in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking at the event, which was organised in collaboration with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and United Kingdom (UK) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the minister said government placed premium on training of trade negotiators in order for them to strike good deals for the country.
“I declared open the 1st one-week intensive TNS Course on 28th February, 2022, which is just over a year ago. The first course was attended by a total of 65 participants.
” Since then, I am informed that the second course was organised, from 30th May – 3rd June, 2022 with 60 participants. The third course, starting today, has 70 nominees drawn from over 20 trade-related Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the private sector, civil society and the media.
“Let me, therefore, commend the NOTN and its collaborating partners, the ODI and FCDO, for successfully enhancing the trade negotiation skills of the 195 officials, who have so far benefited from this important training programme,” Adebayo said.
According to the minister, the knowledge and experience gained by the officials would not only contribute to Nigeria’s effective participation in the ongoing and future trade negotiations, but also provide a firm basis for informed conversations on various trade policy issues.
Speaking further, Adebayo said the Federal Government would soon roll out new policies and legislations that will consolidate on the gains recorded in the trade sector.
“The next step in this journey is to focus on more deepened and advanced courses, both for NOTN staff and other trade-related MDAs, who are actually involved in trade negotiations.
” To that end, I am happy to note that, in addition to these courses, significant progress is being made in various areas in order to complement the knowledge and skills of trade policy experts in Nigeria.
” To begin with, the relevant stakeholders have now concluded work on the Nigerian Templates for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for standards and professional qualifications. The Ministry will, very shortly, be presenting these draft Templates to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration and approval.
“In addition, the Federal Ministry of Justice has cleared the Bill for the establishment of the institutional and regulatory framework for the conduct of import-injury investigations; and the determination and implementation of trade remedies in Nigeria.
” This long overdue legislation will enable the country to take full advantage of its rights and obligations under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreements to protect its domestic industries from any unforeseen sudden surge in imports of foreign goods and/or unfair practices, such as dumping and subsidies, by unscrupulous trading partners. I will also be presenting this Bill to the FEC very soon.
“Arrangements are also ongoing for the launch of the first National Trade Integration Study (NTIS) for Nigeria.”
On his part, the facilitator of the training programme, Professor Dickson Yeboah, said the week-long course, would also enhance the nation’s investment negotiations.
” It is to provide negotiating skills to Nigerian negotiators for AfCFTA negotiations and negotiations at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
” The benefits is that if a country is well equipped with a negotiating skills, it helps the country to escape economic downtimes because the negotiators are able to negotiate better deals for the country.
” This course is to equip them not only with trade negotiations skills but investment negoting skills so that they can enter into bilateral investment duties, bilateral investment negotiations with any country in the world and Nigeria will come on top,” Yeboah, who retired from WTO as head, course on intensive trade negotiations, said.
The AUTHORITY reports that the training programme which ends on 31st March, will witness presentation of certificates to participants by the Director General of NOTN, Ambassador Yonov Agah, plenary session, trade negotiations simulation group work, among others.
