Niamey (Niger), October 27, 2020 – On the initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (SRO-WA), in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and the Promotion of the Private Sector and the Organisation of Industrial Professionals in Niger (OPIN), a high-level panel was organised Thursday, October 22, 2020 on the theme "Boost local production: promote the ‘Made in Niger’ label within the framework of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ”.
Placed under the chairmanship of the First Lady of Niger, Madam Aissata Issoufou, President of the Guri Vie Meilleure Foundation and sponsor of “Buy Local”, this panel aimed to create an area for dialogue between decision-makers and private sector actors, civil society organisations and partners to discuss actions and policies to be implemented to promote national production and better position Niger on African markets, as part of the implementation of the AfCFTA.
It took place in the presence of the Ministers in charge of Trade and the Promotion of the Private Sector, of Industry, of the Cultural Renaissance, of Agriculture and of Crafts, as well as the Director of the SRO/WA-ECA, Ngone Diop, and Managers of the Departments and Agencies in charge of the 3N Initiative, the Post Office, IT Systems, Culture, Crafts, Commerce, Industry and Vocational Training.
In her presentation, the First Lady Aissata Issoufou affirmed her faith in the virtues of free trade on the basis of the principle of reciprocity, declaring that "Niger must position itself to enjoy the advantages offered by the AfCFTA”.
“Around this panel, we will draw guidelines for the years to come, with the objective of reconciling local production and promoting the ‘Made in Niger’ label by ensuring a credible positioning for our country within the framework of the implementation of AfCFTA ”, continued the First Lady of Niger
For her part, the Director of the SRO/WA-ECA, Mrs. Ngone Diop, recalled that her office is currently supporting seven West African countries, including Niger, to develop their national AfCFTA strategies. She also underlined the importance of the strategic partnership between Niger and the ECA, the main objective of which is "the diversification of the Nigerien economy and the access of its producers to national, regional and international markets”.
Mrs. Diop also indicated that the ECA is accompanying Niger to provide support for its desire to accelerate its industrial development and the structural transformation of its economy for inclusive and resilient growth. "It is in this perspective that we have shown our immediate and total availability to provide support for 100% Made in Niger and the launching of the ‘Buy Nigerien’ campaign", concluded the Director of the SRO/WA-ECA.
For more information, please contact: Tahirou Gouro, Communications Officer, ECA-SRO/WA,
Email: gouro2@un.org
Sub-Regional Office for West Africa
428 Avenue du Fleuve Niger
B.P. 744
Niamey, Niger