The Federal Government says Nigeria’s trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will provide local exporters with a strategic hub to access global markets, particularly across the Gulf and beyond.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole stated this on Thursday while speaking newsmen, following the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Nigeria and the UAE.
According to her, the agreement allowed over 7,000 Nigerian product lines to enter the UAE market duty-free.
She explained that the UAE was deliberately chosen as a strategic trade partner because of its global commercial importance and connectivity.
Oduwole added that the agreement also eased business mobility for Nigerians, allowing entrepreneurs to establish a physical presence in the UAE.
The minister further stated that Nigeria would deepen its export footprint in sectors where it was competitive, using the UAE both as a destination market and a launchpad to other regions.
Edited by Favour Owonibi.