Tanzania, Ghana seek collaboration with  MAN

Dikachi Franklin, Owerri

Notwithstanding  the security, economic and other domestic challenges  Nigeria,  Africa’s biggest economy  with gross domestic product amounting to (514.05) billion US dollars is facing, some African countries  are still looking up for collaboration with Nigeria for the purpose of reaching potential Nigerian investors who are members of the Manufacturers  Association of Nigeria(MAN).

This was observed when Benson Alfred  Bana, the High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania visited the principal officers of the Manufacturers Association on Nigeria(MAN) with Ebina Sylvester, the Representative Officer in charge of Economic Affairs, Tanzania High Commission.

During the visit, Benson Bana disclosed  that the Commission was on a mission to redefine the political as well as economic relationship between Nigeria  and Tanzania.

Meanwhile, Ambrose Oruche,  the Acting  Director General of MAN commended the initiative  of  Bana, stating that MAN was ever ready to maximise the opportunity by facilitating a trade mission to Tanzania as such would  avail its members a window to export and expand their market reach.

Speaking, Oluwasegun Osidipe, the director of Economics and Statistics, (MAN) noted that  with the implementation of the African Continental  Free Trade Area(AfCFTA ) in January 2021, the partnership or collaboration would benefit Nigerian and Tanzanian manufacturers.

He however, urged the Tanzanian High Commission to create  a Commercial Desk for AfCFTA   engagement with Nigeria while  MAN would support  Tanzania  with capacity building training, workshops, webinars  series etc.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Quansah, Minister /Counsellor, ministry of trade and industry  Ghana had called for a closer trade relationship with the Nigerian manufacturers, saying,  that the Ghanian manufacturers were always open for collaboration,  given the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

While paying visit to  MAN’s Secretariat said, “the essence of our visit is to enhance  the trade relationship between Ghana and Nigerian  manufacturers, such that both parties can relate in case of need to expand their  operation or create  a window of opportunity for investors willing to set up in Ghana and vice-versa”.

Also Oruche had commended the visit, according to him it would benefit Nigeria and  Ghana because of the AfCFTA, and called for a framework that would  structure  the engagement of the two countries.