Katsina govt spurs economy via trade forum
By Zubairu Idris
The Katsina State Government has convened a stakeholders forum on trade facilitation with a view to eliminating bottlenecks that hinder growth and development of economic activities in the state.
Inaugurating the meeting on Tuesday in Katsina, the Commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Alhaji Rabiu Yusuf-Jirdede, assured that the government would strive to enhance commercial and economic activities to deepen prosperity for all.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ms Aisha Abdullahi, the Commissioner said that the government had already inaugurated a Trade Facilitation Centre in 2025.
“Its coordinating offices will be established in all the 34 local government areas of the state,” the commissioner said, adding that the initiative would raise the volume of trade locally and between the state and other parts of the world.
On the stakeholders forum on trade facilitation, he said it will bring together all ministries, departments and agencies whose mandate directly or indirectly has to do with trade facilitation, investments and entrepreneurship.
He said that their major task is to eliminate bottlenecks in the processes and ensure seamless trading activities at all levels.
In his remarks, the lead Consultant on the Trade Facilitation Centre, Dr Bala Mahmoud-Abubakar, explained that trade facilitation include free flow of information to enable stakeholders make informed decisions.
He said that the center would partner with the State Ministry of Justice to review existing laws so as to enhance trade and investment.
The consultant added that the center is also partnering with the Nigeria Customs Service in educating the business community, especially those involved in import and export businesses, on the rules and regulations of international trade.
He said that the center was working with the Ministry of Agriculture to reduce post-harvest losses, and partnering market associations to benefit from the services of the center.
