From Uche Usim, Abuja
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali, yesterday kicked off a World Customs Organisation-assisted training programme for officers to boost capacity to execute trade facilitation agreements (TFAs).
Ali said the programme would assist the national committee on trade facilitation, as it enhanced international commerce among trading partners.
He said: “Trade facilitation has become imperative for economic development. WTO has got 110 members, including Nigeria, that have submitted their instrument of acceptance.
“The entry into force of the agreements has now set a new chapter in the international trade chain with moral expectations of member countries to intensify efforts towards implementation.
“It is agreed that implementing the WTO TFA will expedite the release and clearance of goods across national borders in a transparent manner, reduce cost of doing business and increase national income.
“Nigeria had submitted its Category A in commitment to WTO in 2014, categories B and C being the ones affected.
“Just about two weeks ago, the Nigeria Customs forwarded notification to the ministry of trade on its readiness to implement most of the majors in Category B.
“The Category C is commitment. This is where developing countries will need technical assistance in capacity building to be able to implement this segment of the agreement.”
Ali said the WTO TFA membership cuts across government agencies and the private sector comprising 21 organisations, chaired by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, while the NCS is vice chairman:
“I am glad to inform you that the NCS has made giant strides to provide infrastructure to support the implementation of the TFA.
“The NCS has made achievements in the area of developing e-clearance process, transmission of e-cargo manifest for pre-arrival processes and creation of trader zone and Customs zone in the cargo clearance procedure for full involvement of stakeholders.”