NEPC NEPC Trains Exporters To Cub High-Level Of Non-oil Export Rejection In Global Market
By Muhammad Jamil Abubakar
The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it has introduced measures that will address the high level of rejection of non-oil exports in the global market.
Speaking during a one-day workshop on training the trainers in Gombe State, the North East Regional Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Mr. John Okorie said the Introduction of a Domestic Export Warehouse (DEW) will reduce the number of checks along the export corridor from the hinterland to port of shipment.
Mr John Okorie said the Council is also working on additional Export Trade Houses (ETH) where made-in-Nigeria products can be shipped, displayed and distributed to different parts of the world.
“The Nigeria Export Promotion Council has established Export Trade Houses ETH in different centres in 4 Countries which are Lome, Togo, Egypt, Kenya and China while South Africa, Canada and Saudi Arabia are next to be established. ”
It is in line with the concept of the trade house that purchases and selling of products for other businesses using their international expertise as it is the practice in countries such as China, Switzerland, USA, Singapore and the United Kingdom.”
The Project is also one of the Council’s initiatives aimed at increasing Nigeria’s International market share which was further necessitated by the need for aggressive marketing to increase productivity, enhance expansion and facilitate economic growth through non-oil export.
The Regional Coordinator said the African Continental Free Trade Area AFCFTA agreement has created the largest free trade area in the world measured by the number of countries Participating. ”
The Pact connects 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product GDP valued at US$3.4 trillion, it also has the potential to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty.”
In his welcome address the Gombe State Commissioner for Trade and Industry, represented by the overseeing Permanent Secretary Balarabe Musa said the State Government has created an enabling environment by establishing an industrial park in the state where businesses will strive.
Balarabe Musa lamented the difficulties faced by farmers and exporters in the northeast sub-region in accessing loans from the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Bank of Agriculture and the Development Bank of England Nigeria.
The Theme for the one-day workshop is “Upscaling Production of One State One Product in the North East for Export” The event has in attendance 43 participants from across the State.
