Diamond Bank, NEPC collaborate on export service delivery

Diamond Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to effective and efficient export service delivery, as it fostered a new partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

At a two-day training programme that hinged on managing effective export desk in banks, the lender said the partnership is important as one of the main policy planks of the new government is to boost export and reduce the importation of goods and services that are produced in the country.

It noted that effective and efficient export service delivery is one of the surest ways the financial services sub-sector could help stimulate economic activity in the country, mitigate the financial challenges affecting export business and halt the sliding fortunes of the naira.

The training programme was targeted at upscaling the skills of the bank’s staffers on the export desk and promoting efficient export service delivery with the benefiting staffers selected from its branch network across all the geopolitical zones.

The Executive Director of the bank, Oladele Akinyemi, said the involvement of Diamond Bank in the training is to promote a stress-free and prompt transaction processes in export trade for the growth of the economy.

“It is imperative to encourage a synergy between government agencies and financial institutions to aid smooth flow of business in the exportation of Made-in-Nigeria goods.

“Diamond Bank as a financial institution seeks to be a leader in export trade by putting in place a system that is beyond ordinary banking for export customers. Our desire is to be on ground to offer professional advice that would add value to our customers in their business transactions. Therefore, we are training our staff members to think and act as exporters as well,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC), Segun Awolowo, who was ably represented by the Executive Director, Olajide Ibrahim, applauded the collaboration, saying it would enhance capacity building for personnel that are assigned to manage export desks.

“The NEPC has viewed the aspect of Export Desks-cum-finance as very vital to non-oil export promotion, hence the need for a deliberate intervention plan. This training and capacity building workshop will facilitate quick access to finance by the Nigerian exporters,” he stated.

Facilitator of the session, Obiora Madu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer MultimMix Academy, commended the lender for being the first bank to approach the NEPC for consultation on such training.