The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) Plc said that it has keyed into the $1 billion economy by encouraging the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to thrive.

A statement by the Spokesman of NAHCO, Tayo Ajakaye, said that the Group Executive Director, Business Development, NAHCO, Saheed Lasisi, stated this at a capacity building forum on export processing, held for SMEs in Lagos during the week.

Lasisi assured that the company would assist the Federal Government in achieving its dream of a $1 billion economy within the targeted period.

“A major focus of the government in achieving this goal is commodity exports. And to record the needed volume in commodity exports, the nation needs the SMEs,” he said.

According to him, the ground handling company recognised the contribution of SMEs to national development, stressing that the organisation was charting the way forward in preparing them for foreign markets.

He pointed out, however, that SMEs needed to build capacity in export processing because exporting agro products and commodities required a strong logistics and handling backbone.

He declared that NAHCO sits at the centre of the export value chain, noting that the company serves as the link
between exporters, airlines and regulators.

In this role, NAHCO would provide necessary guidance in cargo handling, including in areas of the quality ofproduct preservation, regulatory compliance, on-time flight connections and acceptance requirements by international buyers, Lasisi said.

He further detailed the specialised packaging required for perishable and sensitive items.

He expressed that NAHCO, with the approval of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has provided a proper packaging facility in the airport area.

“Our packaging area is in the NAHCO Export Packaging and Processing Centre (NEPPC), the only one of its kind in Nigeria, and we started operations in July last year. NAHCO also has an export desk that provides support for exporters,” he said.