Mr Joseph Attah, Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service, says the service will host African Union Directors-General of Customs to enhance robust trade facilitation, security and common African position in global customs community.
Attah told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that hosting the meeting in Nigeria further demonstrated the global community confidence on the present leadership of the country.
“Nigeria is increasingly seen as a safer place for businesses, international conferences and safer place for meaningful national engagement.
” The meeting will be taking place from May 23 to 25.
” The meeting will be first of its kind; during this period, the DGs will be discussing issues of mutual cooperation among customs administrations in the AU to forge a common position in the governance of World Customs Organisation (WCO).
” Issue of trade facilitation and regional security are tops on the list; whenever DGs of Customs meet they discuss ways of improving on the standard of customs operations in the region.
” They disscus the function of customs and how it can better impact on the lives of the citizens of member states,” Attah said.
He said that 50 DGs of various customs administrations in the AU would attend.
According to him, there would also be a sideline meeting of neighbouring countries like Nigeria, Benin Republic and Niger to discuss issues of mutual importance.
” It is expected that at the end of the meeting, citizens of member states will experience improved customs relationship to enhance regional security.
” The meeting re-presents Nigeria as a safer place for investment and it will encourage foreign investors to begin to look at Nigeria as an investment disination,” he added.(NAN)
SUT/IA
