Posted by AngolaPress on
Nigeria`s commerce minister Idris Waziri Monday urged ECOWAS member states to urgently resolve the many challenges imposed by the implementation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements to enable them participate more effectively in the multilateral trading system.
Abuja, Nigeria, 01/11 - Nigeria`s commerce minister Idris Waziri Monday urged ECOWAS member states to urgently resolve the many challenges imposed by the implementation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements to enable them participate more effectively in the multilateral trading system.
Waziri spoke in Abuja while opening a trade negotiation capacity- building course for officials from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) member states involved in implementation of trade related agreements.
"It is very important that problems arising from our developmental situation, namely the heavy debt burden, trade barriers, supply side constraints, poverty as well as technical and institutional problems are adequately and urgently addressed to enable developing countries like ECOWAS member states reap maximum benefits from international trade," he said.
Waziri commended the idea of the training course, and said it would help identify capacity gaps in negotiating skills and techniques, which impede the sub-region from maximising opportunities in world trade.
He noted that the course would also guide the formation and implementation of trade policy measures in member states.
Speaking earlier, course coordinator Douglas Zormelo said ECOWAS member states must begin to participate effectively in defining the rules and regulations as well as the environment within which trade occurs.
"The ECOWAS trade negotiation capacity building project is structured to provide contextualised training in trade negotiations for various relevant categories of government officials, and non-state actors," he said.
The course will feature a discussion forum where senior policy makers, including ministers and parliamentarians, would participate.