As the Nigerian government leads the first ever trade mission to Bangladesh headed by the the Nigerian Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ibrahim Pantami, the Director of Investment and Economic Trade noted that Bangladesh and Nigeria have a lot to deliver to the international system.
The trade mission was prompted by the undaunted effort of the Nigeria- Bangladesh Business and Technology Forum (NBBTF), led by its President Architect Roberts Moses Achanya and facilitated by the Honourable Minister of Foreign in Nigeria, His Excellency Geoffrey Onyeama .
Inaugurating the mission Honourable Isa Pantami who led the Nigerian delegation
had a bilateral meeting with Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, MP. noted that the mutual trade between Bangladesh and Nigeria is steadily growing and Bangladesh government is making efforts to augment trade and commerce with Nigeria.
He he was later received by the Bangladesh Minister of Foreign Affairs, H. E. Abdul Momem at the State House Dhaka were both agreed to explore possibilities of contract farming in Nigeria by Bangladeshi farmers as well as collaboration in agro and food processing.
Both sides also agreed to consider conclusion of agreement between the apex chambers of two countries. Both sides also agreed to establish cooperation in IT & ICT sectors. The Nigerian side mentioned that NBTTF is one such platform of cooperation. It was agreed that both sides would explore possibility of conclusion of framework agreement on FTA or PTA.
Hon. Pantami praised the excellent economic growth of Bangladesh under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing Bangladesh excellence in IT and garments sectors.
On Sunday 14/01/2023
During separate visits to a2i project office and Bangladesh Exports Zone Authority (BEZA) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ambassador Bolaji Akinrem Bolaji who represented the Head of the delegation to the end of the meeting, noted that though during his assignment in the United Nations he has worked with a lot of Bangladeshi experts and diplomats but he was visiting Bangladesh for the very first time.
Bolaji acknowledged that a lot more engagements will come up after the trade and advised both countries to find a contact point to make it easy for Agency to Agency talk and form alliance through signing of MoU.
Amb Bolaji advised the closer ties of the South South regions and called for signing and/or ratification of MoUs and agreements.
Worthy of note in Education is the presentation made by the Digital development Agency of Bangladesh Known as a2i project which among other subjects projected the Skills Education, Empowerment and Employment project.
All establishments visited by the Nigerian delegates were given adequate and transparent attention during the meetings and presentations.
