By Charles Nwaoguji
The International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN) will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and induction ceremony for new members tomorrow at 10.45am at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the statement signed by the Secretary General, ICC Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Osuntuyi, the ICCN AGM is sponsored by Ecobank Nigeria Plc.
She further stated that the traditional post-AGM talk would be delivered by Col. Hamed Ibrahim Alli (rtd), Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) whose presentation will bring to fore the importance of Trade Facilitation Agreement, which came into force in February 2017 after two-thirds of the WTO membership completed their domestic ratification process.
The TFA contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between Customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and Customs compliance issues.
It further contains provisions for technical assistance and capacity building in this area.
The chief host, Mr. Babatunde Savage, Chairman of ICC Nigeria, together with other board members, will formally welcome all the new members from last AGM into the chamber. The new members include Akinwunmi & Busari LP, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), Bola Ajibola & Co, Kusamotu & Kusamotu, Marcus-Okoko & Co, Vatad Solicitors and Olajide Oyewole LLP.
Other highlights of the AGM are the report of the 2nd ICC Africa Regional Arbitration Conference held recently in Lagos, Nigeria, appraisal of other major activities and achievements of the chamber in the year ended as well as latest developments around the world as regards trade, commerce and investment.
Technical assistance for trade facilitation is provided by the WTO, WTO members and other intergovernmental organisations, including the World Bank, the World Customs Organisation and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). In July 2014, the WTO announced the launch of the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility, which will assist developing and least-developed countries in implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement. The facility became operational with the adoption of the Trade Facilitation Protocol on November 27, 2014.
