Abuja—The U.S. government has urged Nigeria to replicate the one-stop-shop for imports and export to improve efficient processing in line with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.

The Economic and Commercial Counsellor in the Embassy of the United States of America in Nigeria, Mr. Ray Hotz, made the call during a courtesy visit on the Director General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Aboloma, in his office in Abuja.

He said his visit was to explore opportunities for reconnecting the economic section of the United States embassy in Nigeria with SON to ascertaining the scope of its operation and priorities with regards to import and export.

Hotz expressed concern about the bureaucracy involved in exporting products out of Nigeria which, he noted, had encouraged more informal transactions than formal.

According to him, other areas of concern include accurate statistics on the rejection of Nigeria’s exports, substandard products import and their sources, smuggling and copyright issues.

Hotz stated that the United States embassy is already providing trade capacity development assistance through the Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce and is prepared to explore greater opportunities for collaboration with the Nation through SON especially to enable Nigerians take optimum advantage of the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Responding, the Director General, SON Mr. Osita Aboloma enumerated his organization’s priorities as including,   facilitating ease of doing business, supporting the diversification of the Nation’s economy, citizen protection, fighting corruption as well as promoting development of micro, small and medium enterprises through capacity building   initiatives and protection from unfair competition.