NIGERIA - WTO ARTICLE XXI AND AGOA FORUM

UNCLAS ABUJA 000928 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PASS TO USTR (AGAMA) E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: ETRD ECON EINV EAID WTRO NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA - WTO ARTICLE XXI AND AGOA FORUM REF: A. STATE 60296 ¶B. STATE 58394 ¶1. On May 11, 2007 Econoffs delivered reftel A demarche to Dr. Yemi Obafemi, Director of External Trade at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Obafemi said the ministry will review the WTO Article XXI Notice before providing a response. He noted that an inter-ministerial committee of the Government of Nigeria (GON) met from May 9-10 to discuss Nigeria's position on the World Trade Organization's Trade in Services. Obafemi commented that the Article XXI Notice would also be used as a guide in drawing up Nigeria's position on trade in services. ¶2. Regarding the July AGOA Forum in Accra (reftel B), Obafemi said that with a new government is expected to be ushered in by May 29, it is likely that new ministers would be appointed by July. He reported that the chief executive officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council would play a prominent role as a member of the Nigerian delegation to the Forum. Obafemi said the Minister of Commerce and Industry was expected to lead the delegation, and if a new minister was not appointed before the Forum started, Dr. Ogunbambi, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, would represent it. Obafemi also informed us that he would attend the AGOA Forum. CAMPBELL