Nigeria-USA to Expand Bilateral Trade

Nigeria and the United States of America have identified opportunities to expand bilateral trade under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and agreed to strong co-operation in the World Trade Organisation (W.T.O).

This was the outcome of the recent meeting between Nigeria's Commerce Minister Mustapha Bello and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick.

As a first step both countries agreed to enhance mutually beneficial bilateral commercial linkages in the man-made fiber, footware, apparel, craft and food sectors.

While in Washington, Minister Bello met with American private sector organizations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and a group of agricultural companies during which he briefed them on Nigeria's progress in promoting trade and investment. He reiterated Nigeria's readiness to ratify the Overseas Private Investment Corporation agreement with the United States and address impediments to investments.

The Minister invited U.S. investors to join other global business leaders in Nigeria's economic revival and diversification assuring them of higher returns than the world average.

In conclusion, Minister Bello expressed appreciation to the United States government for its support to the WTO

F.K. Martins
Head of Centre
Embassy of Nigeria
July 8, 2002.