… Earmarks 9million Euros To Fight B’Haram
The Kingdom of Belgium has urged Nigeria to stop exporting only raw materials to Europe and other parts of the world, stressing that the country is rich enough to process raw materials into finished goods, which could add value to its products and improve its economy.
This advice was given by the Ambassador of Belgium to Nigeria, Stephane De Loecker, during events organized by the Belgian embassy in Abuja in honour of the King of Belgium popularly called, “The Belgian King Day.”
The envoy, who was represented by the Charge d’ Affairs and Deputy Head of Mission and Consul, Veronique Bernard, said that Nigeria’s trade with Belgium is significant but pointed out that Nigeria needs to exit the cycle of exporting raw materials and importing their processed forms at much higher value.
“While the situation is a boost to Belgium’s Foreign Trade, it is not ideal for Nigeria’s trade balance. All current strategies to refine oil within Nigeria’s borders should be followed up, and the bigger picture of exporting refined oil products from Nigeria should be actively pursued,” he said.
He noted that Belgium and Nigeria traditionally enjoy excellent bilateral relations, stressing that as far as trade is concerned, the Port of Antwerp is a major port of entry for Nigerian goods not only into Belgium but into the whole of Europe.
He explained that in 2015, Nigeria exported goods valued at EUR 104 million to Belgium of which crude oil contributed roughly about 50%, adding that imports from Belgium however were worth EUR1.7 billion with refined oil products accounting for over 70% of this sum.
He charged Nigeria to ratify the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, saying that the EPA will be vital to a diversified Nigerian economy. He said further that all business people should be assured that once their goods enter Belgium, they can circulate within the European Union without having to pay additional taxes even as he urged Nigeria to make use of these facilities offered by Belgium.
On the fight against terrorism, the envoy noted that it has become a top priority of governments not only in Belgium but the whole of European Union and beyond, following recent terror attacks in Belgium and of course the lingering Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria.
“The fight against terrorism is a global fight. Belgium takes part in this fight and pays tribute to the efforts by the Nigerian authorities to wipe out Boko Haram from the North East of the country.
“But after an eventual final victory over Boko Haram, we will need to address the root causes of this horrible conflict, and its dire consequences. Belgium therefore supports the action that is needed to the reconstruction of the North East Nigeria to give people a better perspective, and in particular the vulnerable such as children.
“Belgium has decided to allocate 9 million Euros in additional humanitarian aid to address the needs in the Lake Chad Basin still affected by violent attacks and severe food insecurity,” he said.
On the incessant crisis of migration of Africans to Europe, he said that Belgium and Nigeria are also collaborating to tackle the crisis, which was triggered by violent conflicts and poverty around Sub-Saharan Africa.
