We will take advantage of friendlier US government – NACC

The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) has shown optimism that the United States President Joe Biden’s administration would be more favourable to Nigeria and the US trade relations.

The Vice President and Chairman of the 60th Anniversary Committee, NACC, Ehi Braimah, in a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, guaranteed that the chamber would take advantage of the friendlier climate.

Ehi Braimah

As indicated by him, the first few steps Biden took was a warm embrace for Nigerians and Nigeria, particularly the nomination of three Nigerians into prominent positions in his government.

Braimah guaranteed that the chamber would look out for and take advantage of the opportunities under the US government. He believed some would come through inward and outward trade missions between the two nations.

He said, “I believe opportunities are here under a friendlier administration. So, the best we can do is to take advantage of the friendlier climate.

“The future is still bright in spite of the global economic recession that was imposed upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are hopeful that working with our partners in Nigeria and the US, we can get a lot of things going and will have a salutary effect on the economy.”

Furthermore, in a speech by the NACC President, Toyin Akomolafe, stressed that the chamber would advocate for the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

It is an initiative of the US Government to open up a preferential window of export opportunities to selected countries in Africa, including Nigeria.

Adebola Williams, The Chairman, Programmes Committee, stated that the act would run its course in five years’ time and that the chamber would work to take full advantage of the opportunity between now and then.

She said, “Unfortunately for us in Nigeria, we started slightly late, but from what we’re seeing now and with the chamber’s contribution, we are trying as much as possible to ensure that a lot of our members, especially small and medium-sized enterprises get involved.”

In addition, Akomolafe said that NACC would also continue business-to-business engagements through events and inward and outward missions.

He declared that plans were in progress to also build the chamber’s national secretariat in Lagos.