President Muhammadu Buhari and D8 Memebrs at Istanbul, TurkeyPresident Muhammad Buhari has rallied the support of members of the Developing 8 (D8) for the establishment of African single market being championed by the Union (AU).
“I am pleased to inform you of positive market development in Africa that will support our efforts as members of the D8 to enlarge or market, facilitate our trade, investments and develop our economies. In Africa, we are in the threshold of finalizing negotiation to establish the first ever single market for trade in goods and services on our continent, in the continental free trade area for Africa.”
President Buhari, who made this position known, when he addressed the 9th edition of the D8 meeting today, Friday, in Istanbul, the commercial capital of Turkey, said that the establishment of a single market in the African continent would go a long way in boosting investment and economic development of member states.
He said that the single market will be a win-win for all, including member countries of the D8, adding that as partners stakeholders should work together to support the single market in African.
Buhari stressed the importance of increasing trade and investment between member countries, saying that as members of the D8: “we need to intensify our activities with a view to enhancing various measures to promote trade and assist business communities from member states to invest in our countries and widen our cooperation. We need to work hard to establish integration, manufacturing structures and market.”
The Nigerian leader expressed the nation’s commitment to upholding international trade and development best practices and that Nigeria is ready to host D8 ministers’ of industries in a meeting slated for between November 14-17, 2017, in Abuja.
“Nigeria is committed and actively promoting the policy of trade and investment for growth. The gains from trade are reflected in greater competitiveness, full productivity, job creation, consumer welfare and prosperity. Economies that grows fastest and at more sustainable rate are those that actually promote trade and attract investment. We are committed to creating an enabling environment and making Nigeria an attractive place for business and investment.”
He congratulated the outgoing leaders of the D8 for their commitment to the overall development of the body and reaffirmed the commitment of Nigeria to upholding the objective upon which the body is built. [myad]
