Following the clamour for the diversification of the nation’s economy from the oil based to non- oil, the Benin zonal office of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has build the capacity of exporters on access to foreign markets with made in Nigeria products.
BusinessDay reports that the one- day workshop was geared towards satisfying the yearnings and aspirations of registered exporters who sought the intervention of the federal government agency on linking their products appropriately to reputable export markets.
In her address of welcome, the Benin zonal Controller of NEPC, Etokowoh Uduak said the theme of the capacity building, “Workshop on Entering Foreign Markets with Made in Nigeria Products: Challenges and Opportunities” was to create export awareness , expose stakeholders to export market entry strategies, basic products quality certification requirements and proper packaging standards for export.
Uduak who noted that export value chain would not complete until products or services reach the final buyer, assured all registered exporters / stakeholders of the commitment of the agency to always assist them in fulfilling their aspirations in non oil export business including having easy access to export market opportunities for their products.
The NEPC controller, who opined that Nigeria is blessed with a lot of non oil products to export, however called on small scale exporters in the zone to form themselves into cooperative societies to be able to harness the economic potential inherent in the foreign export markets.
While expressing satisfaction with the product packaging by some manufacturers in the zone, she however called for more improvement noting that “what sells product in the final analysis is the packaging of that product.
Earlier, Edo State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Abdul Oroh commended NEPC for the workshop and assured the state government willingness to partner with the agency, organized private sector and other relevant investors to grow the state economy.
Oroh who was the chairman of the occasion disclosed that the state government has constituted a vehicle committee to oversee the disbursement of the N2 billion CBN MSMEs funds to Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the state.
In an interview some of the exporters which include, Rona Peters, coordinator, Edo State Exporter Clusters and Eyituoyo-Anthony Woods, representative of Ireyeesorise Dry Spice lauded the initiative of NEPC for the capacity building.
Peters disclosed that members of pineapple exporters who are members of the association are partnering with Belgium investor to set up warehouses in the state.
On his part, Eyituoyo Woods who said he had been working with NEPC for the past 10 years noted that through the agency they had took their products to trade fairs/ exhibitions in America, France, and South Africa among others.
He also disclosed that with the assistance of the agency they were able to set up company in South Africa for the export of Nigeria spices.
Papers presented at the occasion by resources persons, include Export Market Opportunities for Made in Nigeria Products by Olufemi Boyede, managing director/chief executive officer of Icononia ventures Nigeria Ltd, participatory in Overseas Trade Fairs as Foreign Market Entry Strategy.
The Exporter Perspectives by M.A Iranloye, director market development department NEPC, Abuja.
Others are, Proper Packaging and Labelling of Made in Nigeria Products for Export.
Practical Guide delivered by Olusegun Sogbesun, director- general, Onitsha Business School, Proper Quality Certification Requirements for the export of made in Nigeria products by David West, Edo State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Facilitating export trade through the services of Freight as forwarding agents by Tony Okome, chairman, Association of Nigeria Licence Customs Agents among others.
IDRIS UMAR MOMOH
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