The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LCCI) inaugurated the ECOWAS/ AfCFTA Regional Integration, Trade & Investment Committee (EARI-TIC) and named its initial members.

At the inauguration ceremony, the president of LCCI, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole underlined the priorities of peace, political stability, and good governance as some of the foremost promoters of regional integration, trade, and investment.

He stated: “The LCCI, by establishing this strategic committee is demonstrating its commitment to promoting regional integration, trade, and investment as one of its strategic responses to the peculiar challenges in the sub-region as well as on the continent.

To him, “promoting regional investment and trade is a complex and very important task for private businesspeople and for the government for the benefit of the African continent.

“This is helped when all the critical stakeholders, public and private are seen and experienced to be above board, supported by relevant institutions and fault-free processes. I am therefore grateful to each member of the Committee for their willingness to take on this work.”

Olawale-Cole said: “The Committee will work collaboratively with the other local and international stakeholders to promote regional integration. The EARI-TIC will help the Chamber receive up-to-date information and analyze regional investment and trade-related issues from a broad array of stakeholders.