Nigeria’s Ambassador to Israel, Ambassador Nkechi Ufochukwu, Monday said efforts are underway to deepen the trade agreement between Nigeria and Israel as part of a broader plan to boost bilateral relations and economic cooperation.
Speaking Monday in Abuja at the maiden edition of the Nigeria-Israel Business Forum (NIBF), the envoy said strengthening trade ties between both countries remains a top priority of her diplomatic agenda.
“My main point and plan is to strengthen the trade agreement between the two countries, to strengthen bilateral trade agreement between the two countries,” she said.
Ufochukwu noted that beyond trade, her focus would include promoting Nigeria’s culture, agriculture, and investments, as well as facilitating training in cyber security and information technology.
She assured stakeholders of her commitment to delivering on her mandate and working collaboratively with partners to achieve results.
“I will put in my best in what is required of me to do the work which has been given to me, let us keep communication open and get the work done,” she said.
Stakeholders at the forum stated the need for Nigeria to address structural challenges hindering business growth, drawing comparisons with Israel’s innovation-driven economy.
A member of the forum, Pastor Henry Opara, stated the need for formal bilateral agreements, noting that existing engagements are largely informal and driven by individual relationships.
“What we have now is more of person-to-person business relationships, which is not ideal. With proper bilateral agreements, it becomes government-to-government engagement guided by laid-down rules,” he said.