The Cross River State Government has begun a comprehensive stakeholder consultation aimed at developing its first-ever State Trade Policy, designed to reposition the state’s economy for competitiveness, inclusivity, and sustainable growth.

The engagement, held Thursday at the Pristine Villa Events Centre in Calabar, brought together top government officials, private sector leaders, academics, and development partners under the theme:
“Building an Inclusive and Competitive Trade Policy for Sustainable Growth and Job Creation in Cross River State.”

Declaring the forum open, the Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. (Mrs.) Abigail Orok Duke, described the initiative as “a bold step toward unlocking Cross River’s full trade potential and positioning it competitively within national, regional, and global markets.”

She emphasized that trade remains a key driver of prosperity, aligning with Governor Bassey Otu’s People First economic vision.

“Trade is the foundation of prosperity. Our goal is to strengthen value chains, promote inclusivity, and create jobs by linking agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, services, and creative industries to expanding market opportunities,” she said.

The engagement was jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the State Trade Policy Development Committee, with discussions focused on building a coherent framework to drive economic diversification and job creation.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Susana Ohen, Chairman of the Trade Policy Development Committee, underscored the importance of aligning Cross River’s trade ambitions with broader regional and continental frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), and the National Trade Policy (2023–2027).

“A coherent trade policy will connect smallholder farmers, MSMEs, and industrial players to markets, stimulate private investment, and drive job creation across value chains,” Ohen said.

Other experts added depth to the discussions. Professor Lionel Effiom of the University of Calabar provided an overview of the state’s trade landscape, while Mr. Kelly Ayamba, President of CALCCIMA, shared insights on trade opportunities and sectoral challenges. Both highlighted the need for a structured trade policy to boost innovation, expand market access, and strengthen industrial linkages.

Interactive breakout sessions, facilitated by Mr. Kenneth Ittah, Mr. William Itorok, and Dr. Osas Omorogbe, focused on practical strategies for improving trade across key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, entertainment, solid minerals, energy, transportation, forestry, and fisheries.

In her closing remarks, Mrs. Philomena Nyiam, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, thanked participants for their contributions and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to an inclusive, transparent policy process.

“This process is consultative by design. We will continue to engage all stakeholders as we move toward drafting, validating, and adopting a trade policy that reflects our collective aspirations,” she stated.

Goodwill messages from the Cross River Planning Commission, CALCCIMA, and various development partners praised the initiative as a major step toward creating a trade-friendly environment capable of attracting investment, stimulating production, and generating employment.

With this engagement, Cross River State has signaled its determination to chart a new economic course anchored on competitiveness, collaboration, and shared prosperity.