Climate Change: A/Ibom Partners FG To Mitigate Plights Of Refugees, IDPs

The Borno State Government and a high-level delegation from Chad have expressed readiness to strengthen cross-border trade, investment and economic cooperation following a three-day summit held in Maiduguri.

Stakeholders at the summit on Cross-Border Trade and Investment Opportunity closing session held on Wednesday in Maiduguri, explored new avenues for economic cooperation, business partnerships and regional development between Borno State and the Republic of Chad.

The summit focused on key sectors, including agriculture, livestock, food processing, transportation, trade and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which hold significant potential for expanding commercial activities between the two neighbouring areas.

Speaking during the closing session, a traditional title holder in the Borno Emirate Council, Alhaji Hassan Zanna, the Zanna Boguma of Borno, said the meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to examine emerging economic opportunities, strengthen business relationships and identify practical ways to promote cross-border trade and investment.

Boguma recalled that Borno State’s strategic location in Nigeria’s North-East and its proximity to Chad position it as an important gateway for regional commerce, saying that the relationship offers opportunities for businesses to access wider markets, improve the movement of goods and services, and develop partnerships that could stimulate economic growth.

He added that agriculture and livestock featured prominently in discussions, given their importance to the livelihoods of communities across the region, adding that improved cooperation in these sectors could create opportunities for agricultural producers, livestock traders, processors and other participants in the value chain.

He said the summit highlighted the potential of food processing as a driver of value addition, job creation and increased business activity, adding that greater investment in processing facilities, storage and distribution could help businesses reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality and reach new markets.

Noting that transportation and logistics are equally important to the development of cross-border commerce, the Zanna Boguma of Borno said efficient transport networks, streamlined trade procedures and improved coordination among relevant stakeholders could reduce the cost and time associated with moving goods between Borno and Chad.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, he said the meeting presented an opportunity to explore new markets, establish commercial contacts and identify potential investors and business partners.

Speaking for the high-level delegation from Chad’s Zagawa Province, the Special Adviser to the Chadian President, Dr Youssouf Tyera, expressed readiness to strengthen economic cooperation with Borno State through investments in agriculture, livestock and other key sectors.

Tyera added that the delegation’s visit to Borno and participation in the Summit was aimed at exploring new opportunities for business, investment and educational cooperation to promote mutual benefits and improve the livelihoods of communities in both Chad and Nigeria.

He said the engagement was designed to chart a new course for bilateral cooperation by building on the longstanding historical relations between the two areas.

He noted that closer collaboration in strategic sectors would create opportunities for economic growth, strengthen people-to-people relations and promote shared prosperity.

According to him, the summit would also help rekindle existing ties between the communities while opening new avenues for partnerships in trade, education and investment.

Tyera noted that the proposed areas of cooperation, particularly agriculture and livestock, are expected to provide a platform for mutually beneficial initiatives, given the importance of the sectors to livelihoods and economic activities in the region.

The delegation’s visit underscores the potential for stronger cross-border partnerships between communities in Chad and Borno State, particularly in areas that can support sustainable development, expand business opportunities and improve the welfare of their people.

Both sides are expected to explore practical areas of collaboration that could translate the renewed commitment into tangible economic and social benefits for their respective communities.