The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (MAN), has commended the President, Muhanmadu Buhari on his decision for the canceliaton of his trip to Kigali, Rwanda for the signing of the Framework Agreement for the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at the Extra Ordinary Meeting of the African Union Heads of State and Government scheduled for yesterday March 21, 2018.

The MAN President, Mr. Frank Udemba Jacobs stated this in Lagos, at a press conference with the industrial journalists.

Jacobs noted that the most gratifying fact is that the President heeded to the call of key stakeholders especially manufacturers in Nigeria, for a circumspective re-consideration of the decision to immediately sign-on to AfCFTA.

“He took a good step by allowing time for adequate consultations among relevant stakeholders before the country endorses the continental trade agreement” said Jacobs.

In his address, the MAN president stated that it is relevant that federal government consider the input of the stakeholders before signing the AfCFTA.

In his recommendation, he stated that government should reconvene a meeting of all relevant     stakeholders,

Including experts on trade policy to set in motion the process that will enable all stakeholders on the international trade value chain in Nigeria review the draft of the initiative and come up with recommendations.

The meeting should also consider tariff lines rates along the line of efficiency, sectoral and sub-sectoral preferences that will be most beneficial to Nigerian business among other considerations.