NEPC, Customs reaffirm commitment to trade facilitation

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have reaffirmed their commitment to providing seamless trade facilitation services to exporters.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, who led a team of NEPC management on a visit to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in Abuja.

Ayeni stressed that the important role customs play in trade facilitation with regards to the development and promotion of made-in-Nigeria products is enormous, adding: “We believe the Customs is very key to the NEPC achieving its mandate to diversify the economic base of the nation.”

She said NEPC is soliciting the support of Customs in the area of export logistics and streamlining of trade facilitation while mainstreaming cross-border trade (CBT) to address the issue of fund repatriation.

While seeking collaboration with the Customs towards operationalisation of the Domestic Export Warehouse (DEW), Ayeni commended the introduction of the electronic call-up system by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

He noted that the process has significantly reduced delays in the inspection and clearance of goods at terminals, thereby easing the perennial gridlock along the port corridors.

Responding, Adeniyi said there is a need for stakeholders to address the gap between export volumes and proceed with repatriation.