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Tag: D-8

  • Buhari urges D-8 to prioritise incentives for member countries

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged D-8 leaders to give priority to measures that would increase trade and investments among member countries.

    Speaking at the ninth summit of the D-8 in Istanbul, Turkey yesterday, President Buhari said the private sector and business communities in the economic organisation must be assisted with incentives to widen economic cooperation among member states.

    According to a statement issued by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President said: ‘‘As the D-8, we need to intensify our activities with a view to enhancing various measures and incentives introduced to promote trade and assist the business communities from member states to invest in our countries and widen our cooperation.

    ‘‘We need to work hard to establish integrated manufacturing structures and markets. I will like to reiterate the importance of increasing trade and investment among our member states,’’ he said.

    President Buhari also used the occasion of his speech to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to international trade and development, even as he affirmed the country’s readiness to host the meeting of D8 ministers of industry in Abuja from November 14 to November 17.

    Highlighting the attractive business and investment opportunities in the country, the President stressed the need for prospective investors to take advantage of the Federal Government’s new policies on trade facilitation.

    ‘‘Nigeria is committed to, and is actively pursuing a policy of trade and investment facilitation for growth. The gains from trade are reflected in greater competitiveness, improved productivity, job creation, consumer welfare and prosperity.

    ‘‘Economies that grow fastest and at more sustainable rates are those that actively promote trade and attract investment. We are committed to creating an enabling environment and making Nigeria an attractive place for business and investment,’’ he said.

    The President also urged D-8 member countries to support the efforts of the African Union (AU) to establish the first ever single market for trade in goods and services on the continent.

    He described the AU-backed Continental Free Trade Area for Africa as a ‘’win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.’’

  • Buhari urges D-8 members to prioritize incentives for trade, investment

    Buhari urges D-8 members to prioritize incentives for trade, investment

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called on D-8 leaders to prioritize incentives and measures aimed at increasing trade and investments among member countries.

    Garba Shehu, the President senior special assistant on media and publicity, in a statement said Buhari on Friday in Istanbul said private sector and business communities in the economic organization must be assisted with incentives to widen economic cooperation among member-states.

    He said, ‘‘As the D-8, we need to intensify our activities with a view to enhancing various measures and incentives introduced to promote trade and assist the business communities from Member States to invest in our countries and widen our cooperation”.

    ‘‘We need to work hard to establish integrated manufacturing structures and markets. I will like to reiterate the importance of increasing trade and investment among our Member States,’’.

    President Buhari the statement also read used the occasion of his speech to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to international trade and development even as he affirmed the country’s readiness to host the Meeting of D8 Ministers of Industry from November 14 – 17 in Abuja.

    Highlighting the attractive business and investment opportunities in the country, the President stressed the need for prospective investors to take advantage of the Federal Government’s new policies on trade facilitation.

    ‘‘Nigeria is committed to, and is actively pursuing a policy of trade and investment facilitation for growth. The gains from trade are reflected in greater competitiveness, improved productivity, job creation, consumer welfare and prosperity.

    ‘‘Economies that grow fastest and at more sustainable rates are those that actively promote trade and attract investment. We are committed to creating an enabling environment and making Nigeria an attractive place for business and investment,’’ he said.

    The President also urged D-8 member countries to support the efforts of the African Union (AU) to establish the first ever single market for trade in goods and services on the continent.

    He described the AU-backed Continental Free Trade Area for Africa as a ‘’win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.’’

    Read also: Photonews: Buhari participates at 9th D-8 Summit

    ‘‘I am pleased to inform you of positive market developments currently in Africa, that will support our efforts as Members of the D-8 to enlarge our markets, facilitate our trade and investments, and develop our economies.

    ‘‘In Africa, we are on the threshold of finalizing negotiations to establish the first ever Single Market for Trade in Goods and Services on our Continent, in the Continental Free Trade Area for Africa. This will be a win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.

    ‘‘As partners, I urge that we work together to support this effort of the African Union that will have a positive effect on global economic development and integration,’’ he said.

    Earlier, President Buhari had congratulated the outgoing Chairman of D8, Pakistani government, and Dr. Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi, the outgoing Secretary-General, on their commitment and strong resolve to forge the organization ahead even in the face of serious challenges.

    He also congratulated Turkey on assuming the new leadership of the economic organization.

    He assured D-8 leaders that Nigeria would continue to support the Secretariat in its assignments to achieve the visions and objectives of the organization.

  • FG urges D-8 members to liberalise visa policy

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday urged the D-8 member nations to liberalise the issuance of visas amongst member states.

    This, according to Mohammed will help boost tourism and cultural exchange among member nations.

    The D-8 member countries are – Nigeria, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Turkey.

    The minister’s call followed the D-8 resolve to prioritise tourism development among its members as outlined by the group Secretary General, Dr. Seyed Mousavi, who visited him in office in Abuja.

    “I think one area that the D-8 must work on and if they really want to succeed is to ensure there is no barrier in terms of visa among these eight countries. You cannot grow trade, talk less of tourism, if there is visa restriction. It’s the free movement of people that will guarantee the free movement of trade,” he said.

     

     

  • Fed Govt hosts D-8 nations on food security

    The Federal Government is to host the fourth agricultural meeting of eight developing countries (D-8) in Abuja.

    The meeting, which begins tomorrow, will involve ministers of Agriculture from the D-8 countries.

    A statement by the Acting Director of Information, Greyen Anosike, yesterday in Abuja said the meeting would promote members’ socio-economic development.

    The group was established to enhance cooperation in the economic sector through sharing of expertise to improve the portion of member countries in the global economy.

    It is expected that participating nations would adopt strategies to implement the D-8 Programme for Food Security (D8-PFS).

    The statement reads: “Nigeria is hosting the fourth summit on food security to conclude actions on outstanding issues, formulate strategies to ensure timely and effective implementation of decisions reached at meetings.

    “The meeting will focus on strengthening areas of weakness, such standards and trade and the need to forge a strong and meaningful multilateral or bilateral collaboration among the private sectors of members while exploring areas of advantages.

    “At the end of the meeting, it is hoped that firming up cooperation in various sub-sectors of seed bank, fertiliser, animal feeds, marine, fisheries as well as adoption of strategies for the implementation of the D-8 Programme for Food Security (D8-PFS) would be done.”

     

  • Food security: Nigeria to host D-8 countries

    Nigeria will host the 4th agricultural meeting of eight developing countries (D-8) in Abuja.

    The meeting, which will commence Wednesday, December 4 will involve Ministers of agriculture from the D-8 countries.

    In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Information in the ministry, Mr. Greyen Anosike, on Monday in Abuja, the organization is aimed at promoting socio-economic development of member countries.

    It was established to enhance cooperation in the economic sector through sharing of expertise in order to improve the portion of member countries in the global economy.

    It is expected that participating nations would adopt strategies for the implementation of the D-8 Programme for Food Security (D8-PFS).

    The statement reads: “Nigeria is hosting this 4th summit on food security to conclude actions on all outstanding issues for the various working Groups, formulating strategies to ensure timely and effective implementation of all decisions reached at meetings.

    “The meeting would focus on strengthening on areas of weakness such as uses of standards and trade and the need to forge a strong and meaningful multilateral or bilateral collaboration and partnership among the private sectors of members States while exploring areas of advantages.

    “At the end of the meeting, it is hoped that firming up cooperation in various sub-sectors of seed bank, fertilizer, animal feeds, marines fisheries as well as adoption of strategies for the implementation of the D-8 Programme for Food Security (D8-PFS) would be done.

    “Collaboration in livestock production and marketing and forging strong private sector led joint investment programme in a Public-Private Partnership is also expected.”

     

  • D-8 agreements will boost relations among members – Jonathan

    D-8 agreements will boost relations among members – Jonathan

    The agreements and decisions taken at the recent D-8 summit in Pakistan would strengthen existing relations among member states, President Goodluck Jonathan has said.

    He made this remark on Tuesday while speaking to the new Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lt. General Mohamad Ashraf Saleem, who was one of the three new ambassadors that presented letters of credence to the Presidency at the State House.

    According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said: “I am glad that you are coming soon after the D-8 Summit, because we plan to take advantage of the decisions of the group to strengthen our relations.”

    He said that Nigeria aims to leverage on the long history of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Pakistan in order to improve agriculture, create more jobs, and increase food supply in the country.

    The new High Commissioner said that he is looking forward to work with the President to improve relations between the two nations.

    During a separate audience with Mr. David Jonathan Richardson of Australia, President Jonathan said that he is looking forward to more cooperation and investment from Australia, especially in the solid minerals sector.

    The President also expressed appreciation for Australia’s pledge of $50m to support Nigeria’s polio eradication programme, and restated the administration’s commitment to eradicate polio from Nigeria by 2015.

    Also speaking to Mr. Joao Andre Pinto Dias Lima of Brazil, President Jonathan said the forthcoming visit of the Brazilian President to Abuja will encourage closer relations between Nigeria and Brazil.

    The new ambassadors pledged to do their best to strengthen relations with Nigeria during their tenures in the country.

     

  • Pakistani president now D-8 Chairman

    Pakistani president now D-8 Chairman

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday in Islamabad handed over the chairmanship of the Summit of Heads State and Government of the Eight Developing Nations (D-8) to President Asif Zardari of Pakistan.

    The ceremony took place at the opening of the Summit of the leaders of the D-8 held at the Presidential grounds in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

    The summit was attended by Presidents Jonathan, Zardari, Mahmoud Ahmadinijad of Iran and Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia.

    Also in attendance were Egyptian Vice President, Mahmoud Mekki; Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Erdogan; Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Hon’bl Mohyiddin; and the Advisor to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Prof. Gowher Rizvi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the President assumed the leadership of the D-8 in April 2010 at the 7th bi-annual summit held in Abuja.

    In his statements, Jonathan urged the D-8 member countries to continue to forge closer cooperation in order to make the D-8 the engine for growth and prosperity in member countries.

    “From what I have seen and observed, from the commitment of Member Countries, I can say with confidence that the future of the D-8 is bright and solid.

    “Of course, this is not to say that the road ahead will be all smooth and without bends, bumps and twists; far from it.

    “The advantage the D-8 has is that it is a voluntary organisation of like-minded States with a shared vision to work together for the benefit of all.

    “I believe that by working together to promote our shared vision and common objectives, we could build the D-8 into a model of successful south-south cooperation,’’ he said.

     

  • Minister seeks D-8 support on air safety

    Minister seeks D-8 support on air safety

    As part of efforts to achieve safety in the aviation sector, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, on Thursday, called for collaborations with members of the D- 8 countries

    The D-8 member nations are – Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan.

    The minister is seeking partnership in training, airport operations, airline operations and financing.

    Oduah spoke at the 6th D-8 Working Group on Civil Aviation (WGCA) and Director Generals Meeting, held in Abuja.

    She stated that it is imperative for member nations to merge resources to achieve sustainable growth especially as regards aviation safety, security and capacity building.

    She said: “There already exists cooperation and business affiliation between our airlines and other D-8 countries’ maintenance providers in the provision of heavy maintenance for Nigerian registered aircraft.

    “Other areas that Nigeria urgently requires cooperation are capacity building, airport operations, airline financing and operations.”

    The minister urges member nations to make the sector an engine of economic growth.

    She added that the G-80 terminal at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos will be commissioned next Monday.

    Describing the terminal as classic, she stated that other airports’ terminals will be commissioned on weekly basis.

    In his remark, the Director General DG, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, said participants will deliberate on vital issues such as safety and security, air navigation and traffic management.