ECOWAS launches regional trade network

NEWS

Organisations in accessing new markets and establishing linkages he Economic between local and Community of international businesses. West African On her part, the States (ECOWAS), Executive Director of with the support of the the International Trade International Trade Centre, Pamela CokeHamilton Centre (ITC), yesterday, emphasised launched the ECOWAS the milestone West Trade Promotion Africa has achieved with Organisation (TPO) the establishment of the Network in Abuja. ECOWAS TPO Network.

The CEO/Executive “As a network you can Director of the Nigerian learn from each other, Export Promotion support growth into each Council (NEPC), Mr. other’s markets, invest in Olusegun Awolowo, was shared information assets, also appointed to chair and amplify the voice the first Annual General of TPOs and the private Meeting (AGM) of the sector as champions of network. the Africa of tomorrow,”

The Network is a said Ms. Coke-Hamilton. public-sector led entity, Mr. Awolowo stated which will work in that this was a first of partnership with the many steps towards ECOWAS Commission building mutual trust to promote goods made and cooperation without in West Africa. borders within the

ECOWAS ECOWAS region. Commissioner for “As at today intraAfrica Trade, Customs and exports only Free Movement, Tei accounts for about 16% Konzi, who represented of Africa’s global export, the President of the and more specifically ECOWAS Commission, intra-ECOWAS trade Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, only accounts for a tenth stressed the importance of ECOWAS countries’ of the Trade Promotion global trade,” he said.

T