By – Lawal Sale
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has met with Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, to advance implementation of zero-tariff policy.
The meeting between the two top officials which took place on October 15, followed the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to China in September 2024.
Amb. Yu, during the meeting said that since Nigerian President Bola Tinubu paid a state visit to China, the two countries have maintained close high-level exchanges, and bilateral cooperation has entered a fast track of development.
He said, the Minister and Minister of State of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment have visited China successively, and a number of large-scale cooperation projects have been successfully implemented.
Yu noted that China is ready to work with Nigeria to accelerate the negotiation and signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, promote the implementation of the policy covering 100% of tariff lines originating from Nigeria at an early date, support Nigeria’s industrialization process with concrete actions, and share the fruits of development.
In his response, Amb. Rimi said that Nigeria regards China as an important cooperation partner, highly appreciates the remarkable achievements made in bilateral cooperation, and expresses sincere gratitude for China’s proposed zero-tariff policy.
He said that Nigeria stands ready to work closely with China to advance the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, further expand Nigeria’s exports to China, and attract more investment in manufacturing.
“The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will provide full support to this end,” Amb. Rimi pledged.
It will be recalled that on September 3, 2024 Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid a state visit to China and attended the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Beijing Summit. The leaders of the two countries during the meeting jointly announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and were committed to building a high level China-Nigeria community with a shared future.
Nigeria and China have over the years achieved rapid growth across all sectors and have supported each other on issues concerning common core interests and major concerns, while maintaining sound communication and coordination in global and regional affairs under a results-oriented approach. The two countries are setting an exemplary model for South-South cooperation. (GSF)
