European Union delegation Urges Nigeria to join Economic Partnership Agreement

A delegation of European Union (EU) to Nigeria on Tuesday appealed to the Federal Government to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to enhance the export of Nigerian products to Europe.

The delegation’s Public Affairs Officer, Ugo Sokari-George, made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

Sokari-George told NAN that signing of the agreement would be of immense benefit to the nation’s economy.

NAN reports that EPA is a free trade agreement between countries in the EU and other developing economies in Africa and Asia.

The aim is to foster mutually beneficial trade cooperation among the member countries.

According to her, developing countries that signed the EPA are enjoying various trade preferences on exports, as offered by the EU.

“Signing the EPA implies that trade restrictions will be relaxed to accommodate export goods from Nigeria.

“As a result, the increased exports will ensure the growth of the real sector and resulting in economic growth,” she said.

Sokari-George, however, noted that there was a need for Nigerian entrepreneurs to upgrade the quality of their products to meet international standards.

“We can only explore the openness of the EU market to develop export opportunities for standard and quality products.

“The EU is available at the trade fair to guide entrepreneurs interested in exporting their products to Europe.

“We are here (trade fair) to advise you on how to meet the necessary requirements and documentations that will facilitate exports to Europe,” she said.

The fair which started on Nov. 7 will end on Nov. 16.