Belgium Expresses Readiness To Partner With Nigeria To Boost Trade, Investment In Maritime
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has concluded plans to partner with the Port of Antwerp in Belgium as part of efforts to boost trade and encourage foreign direct investment in the Nigerian maritime sector.
Its Director-General, Peterside Dakuku disclosed this in Lagos when the administration played host to a team from the port of Antwerp in Belgium.
Peterside explained that the Port of Antwerp has had a long-standing relationship with the ports community in Lagos stressing that from 2017 till date, three hundred and two vessels have called between the Port of Antwerp and the country’s ports.
He added that the duo is planning to lead a business mission in November and the country welcomes the mission gladly and they believe both countries can do a lot together.
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The NIMASA boss noted that the November meeting will be the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship in diverse ways that will also give opportunities for exchange of ideas
Quoting the DG:
“It will open opportunities for training for our people and it will give you a better understanding of how the ports in Lagos, Nigeria, in Africa work, leading to the volume of trade between ports and other operations.”
Peterside explained to the delegation that the Agency had established a number of strategies, which includes a legal framework on piracy, maritime crime and acquisition of assets in a bid to build up response capability and stop the pirates from operating within the coastal waters.
Responding, the Director, Port of Antwerp International, Mr. Nico Vertongen, mentioned that the Port of Antwerp intends to come to the country in November on a business mission that would boost the already existing relationship between both ports.
Vertongen said that the meeting will be an opportunity for the duo to be official partners and also expressed their readiness to partner with the Agency on port security, safety and areas of training.
