By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has signed a Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA) with its Indian counterpart to enhance bilateral relations.
The signing ceremony which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, coincided with the state visit of India’s Prime Minister to Nigeria on November 17, 2024.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, who represented Nigeria at the event, said the agreement marks the culmination of negotiations that began in 2016.
Adeniyi described the agreement as a landmark development aimed at strengthening collaboration between the customs administrations of both nations.
“The agreement will enhance cooperation, streamline border clearance processes, and address customs-related offenses. By facilitating faster clearance of goods and reducing trade costs, the CMAA is poised to boost cross-border trade and ensure effective enforcement of customs laws,” Adeniyi stated.
Key provisions of the CMAA include, enforcement of Customs laws: ensuring accurate duty and tax assessments through better classification, valuation, and origin determination of goods.
The agreement will deal prevention and Investigation offensive import and strengthen measures to combat customs-related offenses.
Both countries also agreed on Information Exchange: thereby establishing robust communication channels and offering mutual assistance, including expert witness support when needed.
This agreement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international trade partnerships and improving the efficiency of its customs operations.
By collaborating with India, Nigeria aims to open new economic opportunities, reduce trade barriers, and deepen its integration into the global.
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