The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for strengthening of public-private partnership with the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) to promote regional integration.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandjé Toure-Litse, made this known at a consultative meeting between the ECOWAS Private Sector Directorate and FEWACCI officials, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FEWACCI is a private sector organisation under the auspices of ECOWAS, and serves as a platform for regional public-private partnerships and intra-regional dialogue.
Represented by Dr Tony Elumelu, ECOWAS Director, Private Sector, Toure-Litse said that such a collaboration was necessary to bolster sub-regional development.
“This gathering aims to facilitate alignment of the Regional Business Association’s integration work with the ECOWAS Commission’s Strategic objective for economic integration.
“It will enrich both sides, enhance better collaboration, and provide perspectives that can impact our contributions to regional development.
“The importance of harmonising regulatory frameworks and facilitating cross-cutting programmes to unlock opportunities for infrastructure development, job creation, and regional competitiveness cannot be overemphasised,” he said.
Elumelu added that by aligning initiatives with the federation’s agenda, ECOWAS could improve regional initiatives, enhance private sector competitiveness, attract foreign direct investment, and promote intra-African trade and investment.
Also speaking, Aminou Akadiri, Executive Director, FEWACCI, pledged to continue to play a vital role in promoting private sector interests, sensitising MSMEs, women, and youth-led initiatives, and fostering collaboration between member states.
According to him, FEWACCI is firmly committed to deepening regional and continental integration, facilitating an enabling environment for business and investment, and also providing a platform for different stakeholders.
He said the federation is a veritable platform to exchange views, ideas, proposals and contributions on the business environment.
NAN reports that FEWACCI advocates for greater private sector involvement in policy-making decisions, business climate improvement for the development of private investment, and public-private partnership in ECOWAS member countries.
ECOWAS, on its part, continues to drive regional integration, supporting regional business associations as key drivers of the bloc’s integration agenda(NAN)
