The Head of European Union (EU) delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, has said that trade volume between Nigeria and EU reached 25.3 billion euros in 2017.

Karlsen said this in Abuja while fielding questions from newsmen on the forthcoming Europe Day May 9

The envoy said this figure was an increase of 27 per cent over that of 2016, which was 19.9 billion euros.

He said that about 50 per cent of the 2017 trade value was in favour of Nigeria.

“About 25.3 billion Euro was traded in 2017. There is clear significant surplus in the benefit of Nigeria. Of the trade volume, around 50 per cent more is actually benefitting Nigeria,”  he said.

According to him, the EU remains the most significant trading partner of Nigeria, stressing that trade and investment was an integral part of Europe partnership with Nigeria.

The envoy said though about 30 per cent of Nigeria’s external market is Europe, adding that the region is exploring ways to expand the trade ties.

He said the EU was making efforts to provide an additional market access for Nigerian products in Europe and beyond, thereby creating job opportunities for the teeming population.