NACC seeks stronger ties between Nigeria, U.S.

The Nigerian- American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) is seeking stronger relationships and empowerment from the commercial section of the United States Embassy through its consulate in Lagos, Nigeria.

National president of NACC, Dame Adebola Williams, who made this request during a courtesy visit to the U.S. Embassy in Lagos, said the chamber would not do anything without the full support of the U.S. Consulate.

“We appreciate the Commercial Section of the United States Embassy – the Head (Ms. Jennifer Woods) and her wonderful team – on the fantastic job they are doing in Nigeria (through the Lagos Consulate) under her leadership.

“We are seeking partnership and empowerment for our members who are into Small and Medium scale businesses and are desirous to take advantage of various U.S. programmes targeted at empowering SMEs including Prosper Africa, since some of our members are already into exports while others are willing to go into it.

“We are looking at how best to work with the Commercial Section to encourage them to succeed within the remaining four years in the life of African Growth and Opportunity Act, (AGOA) which was signed by the U.S Congress on May 18th, 2000 and ending in 2025.

Dame Williams maintained that collaboration on Training and Other developmental initiatives would go a long way too to strengthen both Countries’ businesses.

She added, “We wish to be invited to all trade-related and capacity building initiatives that the U.S. Commercial Section is involved with –both physical or virtual. That is the best way our members can benefit from the opportunities available under this partnership”.

It would be recalled that the U.S. trade chief plans to convene a meeting with African ministers before the end of the year to strengthen partnerships and discuss a law that provides duty-free access to the U.S. for thousands of goods from sub-Saharan nations.

“It is important that we meet despite the pandemic to discuss how we can build on the successes of the African Growth and Opportunity Act,” U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in remarks prepared for delivery at the Corporate Council on Africa’s US-Africa Business Summit recently.

She added the U.S. wants to collaborate on labour and environment standards, anti-corruption, and good regulatory practices and helping small businesses succeed and find new markets for their products.

AGOA gives about three dozen nations duty-free access to the world’s biggest economy and is due to expire in 2025.

Tai also said the United States will provide technical assistance as nations work to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area. More than 50 nations have signed on to the deal, which took effect this January, and promises to reduce or eliminate 90% of internal cross-border tariffs by 2030.