By Miriam Humbe
China and Nigeria have signed a protocol establishing inspection and quarantine requirements for wild aquatic products to be exported from Nigeria to the Chinese market.
The Protocol was signed in Abuja by Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe.
It is between the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Yu described the agreement as an important institutional arrangement for implementing China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries.
He said the Protocol provides a clear framework for the inspection and quarantine of Nigerian wild aquatic products destined for China, adding that it would help expand agricultural trade between the two countries.
According to him, the agreement would also support the development of Nigeria’s fisheries sector, increase foreign exchange earnings through exports and inject fresh impetus into China-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation.
In his remarks, Dr. Isegbe said Nigeria welcomed China’s further expansion of imports of high-quality Nigerian agricultural and aquatic products.
He said the Nigerian side was ready to work closely with its Chinese counterparts to properly implement the agreed inspection and quarantine requirements and facilitate the entry of more distinctive Nigerian agricultural products into the Chinese market.
Isegbe added that Nigeria would continue to support measures aimed at ensuring that the outcomes of bilateral agricultural cooperation deliver greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.
