The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it is intensifying its efforts to ensure an improvement in the quality of packaging and labelling of Nigerian products for increased export activities.
According to the NEPC, companies operating in Nigeria achieved $1.35 billion from the export of 167 non-oil products to other countries in the first quarter of 2023, which is an 8.5 percent increase from the $1.24 billion achieved in the same period of 2022.
Despite the improvement, Ezra Yakusak, CEO, NEPC notes that issues around poor packaging still pose a major challenge causing the rejection of Nigerian products in the international market, especially Europe.
Speaking at the technical session for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) organized by NEPC, he said the session looks to enable product assessment, transfer of technical skills in packaging and labelling, a unique opportunity for the SME exporters to receive hands-on practical solutions, action plan for each of their products.
Read also: VC recommends artificial intelligence to curb malpractices, insecurity in Nigerian universities
This he said is a reaffirmation of the Council’s commitment towards facilitating SMEs to overcome challenges posed by Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and in particular packaging and labelling for export.
He said that during an earlier held exhibition to commemorate the 2023 International Women’s Day, the NEPC noted some gaps such as poor or inappropriate packaging arising from incorrect cushioning materials, mismatched sizes, misbranding, wrong labelling, incorrect or illegible graphics, infringement on trademarks, lack of barcodes, etc. which the council sought to address.
“This program has therefore been designed or structured to bridge the knowledge gap, expedite compliance, enhance product competitiveness and achieve sustainable market access in Nigeria’s traditional and emerging markets,” he said.
