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NEPC engages women-owned businesses to enhance market access

In line with global initiative to connect one million women entrepreneurs to market by 2020, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has engaged women-owned businesses to explore...
 Olusegun Awolowo

Olusegun Awolowo

Unveils plans to kickoff the Export Development Fund
In line with global initiative to connect one million women entrepreneurs to market by 2020, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has engaged women-owned businesses to explore opportunities at enhancing access to global markets.

Speaking at an interactive session organised by the NEPC for Women in Export, Executive Director NEPC, Segun Awolowo explained that the session was initiated to explore various strategies and enlighten businesses owned by women on various opportunities in international trade.

Besides, Awolowo who was represented by his Technical Advisor on Women in Export, Maureen Ideozu, noted that the Federal Government is ready to kick-off the Export Development Fund to support small businesses in the non-oil sector.

Indeed, the One Million Women Entrepreneurs initiative was unveiled by the International Trade Centre (ITC) as part of a wider effort to ensure more inclusive growth in the global economy through the increased participation of women in trade.

Specifically, policymakers, institutions, businesses and thought leaders from across the world are encouraged to sign up to the initiative to help leverage technology, foster conducive business environments, establish supportive institutional frameworks and increase the competitiveness of women in business.

Themed “Enhancing the Survival of Women Owned Businesses in non-oil sector’, Deputy Director, Women in Export Development Program, NEPC, Mrs Evelyn Obidike said the interactive session was essential as it is a way to get empirical findings as regards the challenges women are facing in their businesses, adding that the bottlenecks identified will be reviewed by NEPC.

Awolowo who was represented by his Technical Advisor on Women in Export, Maureen Ideozu said SMEs are the bedrock of the economy, as women own a larger percentage of small businesses in many countries.

She noted that it is high time women joined their counterparts in the international market as a way of expanding their horizons, adding that Nigerian businesses cannot ignore the global call to action.

Similarly, the 1st Deputy National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Iyalode Alaba Lawanson commended the NEPC for organizing the program, adding that she believes participants would utilize the interactive session for their utmost benefits.

She noted that NEPC should always engage stakeholders like Nigeria Custom, Bank of Industry and NAFDAC who have major roles to play in driving export.

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