Transcript in the free trade zones

Dr. Joseph I. Odumodu, MFR
Director General/Chief Executive
Standards Organisation of Nigeria
FREE TRADE ZONE CONFERENCE
& EXHIBITION 2012
LAGOON RESTAURANT
OZUMBA MBADIWE STREET,
VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS
5TH – 7TH APRIL, 2012
DESIGNATED AREAS FOR PRODUCTS
LANDING, HANDLING, MANUFACTURING,
RECONFIGURATION AND OR RE-EXPORT
WITHOUT INTERVENTION OF CUSTOMS
AUTHORITY
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TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE
TRADE BARRIERS
TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT
TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
TO FACILITATE ECONOMIC
GROWTH
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COMPLETE TAX HOLIDAY FOR ALL FEDERAL,
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TAXES, RATES,
CUSTOMS DUTIES AND LEVIES
ONE-STOP APPROVALS FOR ALL PERMITS,
OPERATING LICENSES AND INCORPORATION
PAPERS
DUTY-FREE,
TAX-FREE
IMPORT
OF
RAW
MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS FOR GOODS
DESTINED FOR RE-EXPORT
DUTY-FREE INTRODUCTION OF CAPITAL GOODS,
CONSUMER GOODS, MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT,
AND FURNITURE
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PERMISSION TO SELL 100% OF IMPORTED
MANUFACTURED, OR ASSEMBLED GOODS
INTO THE DOMESTIC NIGERIAN MARKET
WHEN SELLING INTO THE DOMESTIC
MARKET, THE AMOUNT OF IMPORT DUTY ON
GOODS MANUFACTURED IN THE FREE ZONE
IS CALCULATED ONLY ON THE BASIS OF THE
VALUE OF THE RAW MATERIALS OR
COMPONENTS USED IN ASSEMBLY NOT ON
THE FINISHED PRODUCTS
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100% FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF
INVESTMENTS
100% REPATRIATION OF CAPITAL, PROFITS
AND DIVIDENDS
WAIVER OF ALL IMPORT AND EXPORT
LICENSES
WAIVER ON ALL EXPATRIATE QUOTAS FOR
COMPANIES OPERATING IN THE ZONES
PROHIBITION OF STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS
RENT-FREE LAND DURING THE FIRST 6
MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION
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WHAT STANDARDS DO;
MAKE
THE
DEVELOPMENT,
MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY OF
PRODUCTS
AND
SERVICES
MORE
EFFICIENT, SAFER AND CLEANER
FACILITATE
TRADE
BETWEEN
COUNTRIES AND MAKE IT FAIRER
PROVIDE
GOVERNMENTS
WITH
A
TECHNICAL BASE FOR HEALTH, SAFETY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
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SHARE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES
AND GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
DISSEMINATE INNOVATION
SAFEGUARD CONSUMERS AND USERS
INTERESTS IN THE PURCHASE AND USES
OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
MAKE LIFE SIMPLER BY PROVIDING
SOLUTIONS TO COMMON PROBLEMS
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
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SOME SOURCES OF SUBSTANDARD
PRODUCTS
IMPORTATION
LOCAL FORMAL PRODUCTION
ADULTERATION/COUNTERFEITING


LOCAL
&
INTERNATIONAL
CONCERNS ON THE QUALITY OF
SOME PRODUCTS FROM FREE
TRADE ZONES
CONCERN
ON
ISSUES
OF
CONTERFEITING/ADULTERATION

THE LAUNCHING OF THE “ZERO
TOLERANCE
TO
SUBSTANDARD
PRODUCTS”
STRATEGY
&
MOBILIZATION OF STAKEHOLDERS
SUPPORT

ON-GOING ESTABLISHMENT OF
HELP DESKS IN MAJOR MARKETS
ACROSS THE
COUNTRY IN
COLLABORATION
WITH
CONSUMER
PROTECTION
COUNCIL
&
MARKET ASSOCIATIONS

COLLABORATIVE
ARRANGEMENT
WITH
NEPZA
TO
INSPECT
PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES WITHIN
THE FREE TRADE ZONES FOR
QUALITY ASSURANCE
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CONTINUOUS
STAKEHOLDERS’
ENGAGEMENT WITH A VIEW TO;
FULLY IMPLEMENT OUR MANDATE
PROMOTE GENUINE BUSINESSES & FIGHT
THE
SCOURGE
OF
SUBSTANDARD
PRODUCTS CIRCULATION
PROVIDE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR
LOCALLY MANUFACTURED & IMPORTED
PRODUCTS
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PROTECT NIGERIAN CONSUMERS &
PROMOTE VALUE -FOR-MONEY IN
PRODUCTS PURCHASE
PROMOTE RE-INDUSTRIALIZATION OF
NIGERIA &
CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE
TRANSFORMATION AGENDA OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
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WE REQUEST MAXIMUM COOPERATION
FROM OPERATORS IN THE FREE TRADE
ZONES
WE ENCOURAGE CONSUMERS IN
NIGERIA TO DEMAND QUALITY AT ALL
TIMES & TO ENDEAVOUR TO COMPLAIN
WHEN THEY DO NOT GET IT
WE THANK THE ORGANIZERS OF THIS
PROGRAM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
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THANK YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS
…Improving life through Standards