The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), in order to boost trade between the business community of Nigeria and Pakistan.
The signing ceremony was held virtually with Members of the executive committee including Ms. Temitope Akintunde, the Assistant Director International and Public Sector Relations LCCI present. Senior Vice President Osman Ashraf, Vice President Shahraiz A. Malik of Pakistan, and others were also present at the occasion.
The document was signed by Dr Muda Yusuf on the behalf of Lagos Chamber and Muhammad Nasir Mirza, the RCCI Chamber President.
What they are saying
Amir Habib Abbasi – Charge De Affairs – High Commission of Pakistan in his virtual address, while welcoming the Chamber’s suggestions and efforts to promote trade and improve networking said that:
- “All kinds of assistance were being provided to exporters to promote trade. The diplomatic mission is working hard to remove obstacles related to banking channels and NOCs.”
Chamber President, Nasir Mirza, said that:
- “The Chamber has always strived to enhance trade relations with African countries. He said that RCCI desires to further strengthen and diversify the existing bilateral trade relations to the mutual benefit of the two chambers. RCCI President said both the Chambers needed to promote high level contacts and visits, which would further cement bilateral trade relations. Under the Africa Trade Forum and the government’s Look Africa policy, our focus was to explore new markets. The MoU will strengthen the Chamber’s Charter.“
Muda Yusuf, Director-General LCCI, appreciated the interest of Pakistan in enhancing economic ties with Nigeria and welcomed Pakistan’s business community for future joint collaboration. He further added that:
- “In future, the implementation of Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement will unify the whole Africa into a single market and Nigeria, as the biggest country in Africa, will be a main hub of trade activities.”
What you should know
- The virtual MoU ceremony was arranged in line with the Look Africa and Engage Africa Policy of the Government of Pakistan to enhance bilateral trade and economic relationships with African countries.
- Aside from Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce (FPCCI), RCCI is the only other Pakistani Trade Chamber to have a formal MoU with a Nigerian Trade Chamber.
