NEPC Maps out Strategy to Enhace Non-oil Exports

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC, says it is working on strategies aimed at revitalising and making non-oil exports more visible.

The Executive Director of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni made this known during a Media Workshop organised  for Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria, CICAN in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria.

Mrs Ayeni who was represented by the Director, Corporate Services Department in NEPC, Mr Samuel Oyeyepo stated that the mantra of the Council is operation triple export.

According to her, “With ‘operation triple export’ we hope and believe that since we had 4.8 million dollars coming from non- export last year at least we should be able to make 5 to 6 billion dollars exportation this year.”

The Director, Trade Information Department of NEPC Dr. Joe Itah, while speaking on the theme of the Workshop “Facilitating Non-oil Export through Strategic Media Engagement” said the media as one of the most important stakeholders in non-oil export should be updated with information on progress made in the non- export sector for effective sensitization and reportage to the public.

He explained that the value chain of non-oil export has not been smooth but it is work in progress.

“Promoting export works in a chain and if you do not have infrastructures in the right place such as electricity,  good roads, state of the art equipments at the ports and enough testing labs, export will be defeated,” Dr Itah explained.

“However, the government of President Bola Tinubu is embarking massively in rectifying most of these areas so that export promotion will have a better future.”

Speaking on strategies of the council, he said: “Our strategies will bring increased volume and value, we have the go global go certification strategy where the mandatory certification for export that will bring out quality and standards is dealt with, we dont do this alone, we have the NAFDAC, SON, preshipment Inspection agencies even Customs.”

An Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Expert, Dr. Eniola Temidayo in a presentation titled “Identifying and Communicating Opportunities in the Non-oil Export Sector”, urged media professionals to explore the numerous opportunities in in the non-oil sector through  informations the gather on the field.

Other paper presenters and Scholars at the Workshop called for effective public private partnership in developing the nation’s Non-oil Export Sector.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of CICAN, Abuja Chapter, Mr Ifeanyi Onuba who commended NEPC for the workshop assured the Council of the Association’s support in publicising its activities.