The Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria blessed the ongoing Cup of Nations as the stage for Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire trade collaboration to intensify.
According to him, the Nigeria-Cotè d’Ivoire AFCON match finals on Sunday will boost ties between the two countries. He said the Cup of Nations final on Sunday will strenghten the relationship among the countries.
He characterized the ongoing tournament as an avenue for people across the continent to gather and do transactional business. He expects the business discussions that went down during the tournament to yield and boost the two countries trade relationship after the occasion.
The diplomat spoke about how the Chamber of Commerce in Cote d’Ivoire are in talks with trade organisations in Nigeria and private organisations, that the end goal of this is to develop business, as the French-speaking county used to be the industry capital for Francophone countries and the economic impact of the two countries coming together could yield benefits for other African countries.
When we meet, we can talk about everything and deepen trade relations between both countries
We have worked with the Nigeria Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), and they have sent people there. Now that we are speaking, we have many discussions there with the Chamber of Commerce in Cotè d’Ivoire and also with the organised private sector association
All these target one thing, which is to develop business. This is because Cotè d’Ivoire used to be the capital of industry for francophone countries, and Nigeria is the biggest economic industry area in West Africa.So, we have to work together.
Many discussions and many initiatives have already been discussed to develop business. We think that it will have a serious economic impact on our relationship with Nigeria, as well as other countries.”
Kalilou said
The delegate also has a lot to say on the ongoing peacemaking in the sub-region at the aftermath of the Eight-Ordinary Mediation and Security Council Meeting of ECOWAS stating that arrangements are ongoing to bring peace and unity back to the sub-region.
As stated by him, to have Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger come out in that decisive fashion to say they don’t want to be part of the West African States says a lot. It is very delicate and not an issue to be taken with levity.
The only important thing right now is dialogue because these three countries with other neighbouring countries were on good terms across many levels, he said.
He pointed out all the delegations at the ECOWAS meeting showed their deep regret on the situation and the body has decided to open dialogue and discuss the issue with all sense of seriousness without emotions, as the ECOWAS framework would be at risk if they leave and this would affect the people. He said the ECOWAS ministers of Foreign Affairs and his country are on the same table as regards this;
We held a meeting at the ECOWAS headquarters; we called ECOWAS members and considered the situation. All the delegation expressed their regret about the situation and decided to open dialogue so that these countries that are brother countries should keep the ECOWAS framework. I can understand some of their complaints, and we can discuss everything. This is because if they go away from ECOWAS, we will have lots of problems and the population will suffer. It is not a matter of emotion. We have to seriously discuss all those situations to see how we can resolve our internal problems. This was the conclusion of the meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and we, Cotè d’Ivoire, are exactly in this direction as well. We will do all we can to find a solution to this crisis,”
Kalilou said
