The electronics section of Alaba International Market, a member of the Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), recently partnered with the chamber to host a workshop aimed at boosting regional trade.
The event, with theme, “Unlocking Regional Trade Opportunities, Navigating ETLS and AfCFTA for Export Growth,” aimed to equip attendees with knowledge on how to leverage the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for export expansion.
BACCIMA’s Director-General and representatives from key security agencies operating in the Seme Special Area Command, Immigration, Customs, NDLEA, Nigeria Shippers Council, ECOWAS Commission, and Port Health Services were in attendance.
Chairman of the electronics section, Camillius Amajuoyi, welcomed the attendees and provided a brief history of the market, emphasising its role as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s commerce and called for national recognition of the market’s three surviving founding members.
BACCIMA’s President, Fatai Shokumbi congratulated the market association on its membership and highlighted the benefits of the Chamber’s alliance with its Togolese counterpart. He then announced an upcoming meeting between the two chambers in September 2024.
Representatives from Customs, Immigration, NDLEA, Port Health, and the Shippers Council provided insights into the regulatory frameworks for export under ETLS and AfCFTA within the ECOWAS sub-region and Africa.
Amajuoyi concluded the event by calling for an end to harassment and extortion of market members during container movement and addressing the deteriorating road conditions within the Alaba International Market corridor, which have led to significant losses due to truck accidents. He expressed optimism that the workshop would empower members to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.