BENIN CITY –Edo State Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor has called for the diversification of Nigeria’s export trade in order to enhance the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.
Governor Osunbor made the call yesterday while declaring open a one-day Workshop on “Current Exports Procedures, Documentation and Export Incentives in Nigeria,” which was organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NERPC),
Akure Zonal promotion committee by providing it with all the needed tools and materials to mobilize and assist producers and manufacturers in the state so that they can take advantage of the ever dynamic export trade in a “globalised economy”.
He urged the participants to take the workshop as an opportunity to re-launch our local economy into a global market; he disclosed that the state Ministry of Commerce and industry was being encouraged to work out a proposal that will enhance collaboration between the state to create veritable avenues for the sales of locally produced goods and at the same time ensuring easy access by indigenous producers to international markets.
“Key players at international market operate within approved standards and specifications, and as a result, internationally traded commodities must meet minimum acceptable standards”, he stated.
The State Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Ken Ihensekhien, assured that the government will as a matter of urgency, reposition the state export office in collaboration with Edo State Committee on Export Promotion, at the Bishop Kelly pastoral centre in Benin City.
He maintained that in Edo State, exportable products such as solid minerals, agricultural produce like cocoa, oil palm, timber, rubber, art and craft, as well as processed products abound, adding that the missing link in maximising returns from export trade remains the proper packaging of export products in line with international standard.
According to him, “Over the years, a lot of attempts have been made by government and WEPC in promoting export products and resources in the state.
Delivering a keynote address, the Acting Executive Director of NEPC, Mr. Aliyu Lawal said the cardinal functions of the Council was to promote the development and diversification of Nigeria’s export trade; assist in promoting the development of export-oriented industries in Nigeria; spear-heading the creation of appropriate export incentives; as well as actively articulating and promoting the implementation of export policies and programmes of the Federal government.
The Executive Director who was represented by the General Manager, General Services Department, NEPC, Mr. David Onwuibiko, told the participants that while the knowledge of export procedure and documentation was very necessary for those who want to start the business, accessing export incentives, particularly Export Expansion Grant was critical to expansion and maintaining competitiveness in global market.
On her part, Edo State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, (Dr.) Mrs. Abieyuwa Osemwenkhae commended the NEPC for organising the workshop and enjoined them to ensure that similar workshops were held at appropriate periods of the year in the zone so as to constantly create the much needed export awareness in a large segment of the various states of the council area.
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