Abuja (Nigeria): Nigerian Senior Government officials and the European Union (EU) held a meeting on Tuesday to assess the existing vibrant economic partnership and chart a way forward.
The EU bloc made this known in a statement by Mr Modestus Chukwulaka, the Press and Information Officer of the EU Embassy in Abuja.
According to Chukwulaka, the inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and Investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by Ambassador Nura Rimi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
He stated that Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investments, and Mr Gautier Mignot, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue.
According to him, the meeting of senior officials marks an essential step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria.
“It provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.”
Chukwulaka stated that the meeting’s discussions centred on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, as well as cooperation on market access barriers and requirements.
He said that preferential trade and investment arrangements, as well as collaboration within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), could impact trade and investment through regulatory measures.
“The high point of the meeting was that both sides expressed their interest to continue the dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.”