France seeks increased trade partnership with Nigeria

The French Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, Olivier Becht said the French Government is interested in deepening trade relationship with Nigeria on agricultural exports.

Becht stated this on Friday during the launch of the Food for Nations digital trade platform.

The Food for Nations digital trade platform is a brainchild of JR Farms designed to help players within the agribusiness value chain gain access to the French market and the rest of Europe via trade.

Speaking during his welcome address, Becht expressed confidence that with the launch of the platform, trade relations between Nigeria and France on the agribusiness front would significantly improve.

He said, “This platform marks a significant milestone in the ties between France and Nigeria. The agri-food industry stands as a beacon for cooperation between our two great nations.

“France, with its culinary heritage and its advanced technical know-how plays a pivotal role in harnessing the quality and diversity of food in the Nigerian market.”

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of JR Farms, Olawale Rotimi described the event as a celebration of partnerships that have birthed growth.

He said the company had signed an agreement with two French companies to train selected cohorts on best agribusiness practices.

Expressing optimism that the Food for Nations platform would connect Nigeria to the European market, Rotimi said JR Farms is already in talks to birth the first food cargo in Nigeria, in partnership with Air France.

He said, “We want to collaborate with Nigeria, Africa.  Already, we have these collaborations happening. Where we are seated here today is a product of collaboration. We want more of these collaborations and economic ties between Nigeria and France.

“With the registration of JR Farms in France, we are also planning together with the Africa office to acquire some farmlands in France. We are in that process at the moment. France is already exporting a lot of grain to North Africa, why not West Africa? We are also looking at commodities here that we can move to France.”