The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Uyo Assistance Office has trained newly registered and potential exporters for free on skills for successful exportation of goods and services across the world.
Speaking during one day workshop on Export for Beginners on Wednesday in Akwa Ibom, the Deputy Director of NEPC in Uyo, Mrs. Pauline Ndulaka, said the seminar became necessary to boost the growth of the non-oil sector.
She explained that the lack of understanding of export procedures had greatly limited the volume of non-oil exports from Nigeria.
Ndulaka said before an export commences, the exporter must be sure of the product and also ensure that the market for the product is readily available by making enquiries.
“Your presence here today is a confirmation of the interest and commitment you have placed on the growth and development of the non-oil sector in the state.
“It requires that more preparation is made by the exporters before starting an export business,” she added
Ndulaka, also the Trade Promotion Advisor of NEPC, Uyo, assured that through the workshop, the newly registered exporters will join in diversifying the productive base of the nation’s economy away from oil through market-oriented export products.
She urged them to develop deep passion and commitment for the business and also endeavour to first identify a product and then carry out market research on the area they want to venture into.
Declaring the event open, the State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Camillus Umoh commended the NEPC for always engaging exporters with laudable programmes toward enhancing the growth of the non-oil sector.
He said the export business was very lucrative, urging the exporters to be passionate about it as it remains the gateway to earning hard currencies.
Umoh maintained that as the state is blessed with natural resources good for export and the government is investing greatly in it, the state will continue to collaborate with the NEPC in enhancing agric value chain for export.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, stated that the activities of the government in agriculture have boosted the morale of farmers in the state.
The Commissioner, represented by the Director of Animal Husbandry, Mr. Aniefiok Isong, said the government has continued to support farmers with seedlings, herbicides, pesticides, and accompanied output like loans, chemicals, and seed dressers, among others.
Offor assured that the state will continue its partnership with NEPC in promoting export and growing the non-oil sector of the economy.
Delivering a paper presentation on the topic ‘Quality and Standardisation of Product for Export’, the State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Pharm. Naeche John, warned exporters against hurrying to export without proper documentation, adding that poor planning and poor agricultural practices have been a major setback in making export.
He urged the newly registered exporters to seek the guidance of experts, do proper documentation, and endeavour to understand the specifications of the country they intend to export to.
Blueprint reports that other paper presentations were; ‘Certification of Products for Export’, delivered by the State Coordinator of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mr. I. Lawal and ‘General Overview of NEPC as Regards to Non-Oil Export Trade’, delivered by Ndulaka.
