The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman has sought improve trade relationship between both Nigerian ports and Miami port, Florida, United States of America.
Usman who made this known at a trade forum with the business delegation from Miami Dade’s County, USA in Lagos Tuesday assured the international communities of the authority’s will to activate the instrumentality of the Federal Government policy on the ease of doing business at the nation’s seaport.
The trade forum was organized for the promotion of bilateral economic ties between Nigeria and the trade delegation from Miami Dade’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Represented by the Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Prof. Abubakar Idris said NPA signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with port of Miami-Dade, Florida in 2001.
According to her, “It may interest you to note that the NPA in 2011 signed an MoU with port of Miami -Dade, Florida to use its normal process to promote the relationship and advantages of doing business as sister seaports.
“Nigeria is just emerging from the worst recession it had ever faced in 20 years. We learnt very valuable lessons from this experience. Most important among the lessons is that we can develop our inherent potentials and improve our fortunes. We are optimistic that with the economy fast picking up its pace, our trade relations will also improve international greater measure. The strategic economic importance of Nigeria as a trade destination and its ports in the African region is well known. Nigeria commercial relations with the USA dates back over several years ago”.
She continued, “As at 2015, Nigeria was USA 60th largest goods trading partner with $5.3billion in total (two ways). Exports total $3.4billion good, imports total $1.9billion. The US goods trade surplus with Nigeria was $1.5billion.”
“I reiterate that the Nigerian Ports Authority will use the instrumentality of the Federal Government policies in the Ease of doing business to ensure that issues of trade facilitation are adhere to in all our ports.”
The NPA boss said bilateral trade between the two ports would further expand bilateral trade opportunities and enhance the scope of Nigeria and the USA to work together more closely to promote a mutually beneficial trade framework.
Her words, “Nigeria warmly welcomes Miami Dade’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade and Port of Miami’s current and constructive efforts to accelerate trade and economic relations between the port of Miami and Nigeria ports.”
“We envisaged very positive outcomes of this relationship in our operations and results. This anticipation is drawn from the purpose of this trade mission which is to engage and foster bilateral trade, commercial ties, maritime service and technical exchanges between the port of Miami and the African ports.
“It is particularly gratifying for me as the Managing Director of NPA that you have included a visit to Nigeria in your busy schedule and not only that but also making Nigeria your first port of call to see firsthand, the trade and investment opportunities we have to offer.”
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