NEPC, JETRO partner to improve market access for Nigerian exports

In a bid to increase exports, the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in collaboration with Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) has concluded plans to host the 2018 Food and Beverage Exhibition (FOODEX) in Japan, next year.

Preparatory to the event, NEPC’s Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Awolowo charged Nigerian exporters on the need to adhere to regulations of the destination market.

Awolowo stated that for Nigerian exporters to meet the requirements for export of food and beverages to the Japanese market, their products must pass a screening test by JETRO Headquarters to confirm that products are not restricted or prohibited from entering Japanese market under the Japanese laws and regulations.

He said: “these events would not only chart the way forward for our exporters, SMEs and manufacturers of items, but also provide an insight into the demand structure of the Japanese market with a view to accessing the market for Nigerian food product”

The NEPC’s Deputy Director, Product Development, Samuel Oyeyipo pointed out that the 43rd edition of FOODEX which is the longest food and beverage trade show in the Asian Pacific region offer a huge opportunity for producers targeting the Asian market.

Oyeyipo who represented Awolowo said: “NEPC will facilitate a programme that will bring together exporters and Japanese experts in order to explain to them how their products is supposed to be packaged for the Japanese market, and thereafter, those that are selected to attend the exhibition will be informed and assisted by NEPC.”

He added: “we are collaborating with JETRO to bring together exporters for the propose FOODEX 2018 program in Japan that is coming up in March. It is called food and beverages exhibition. This process is to qualify them, check their products and see whether they meet the standard of the Japanese market in terms of laws and regulations”.

He added that this is an opportunity for MSMEs in Nigeria to showcase their product during the March 2018 exhibition in Japan.