Explore international market, export council tells Ayade

Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has called for deliberate policies and actions by Cross River State Government to complement Federal Government’s drive to place the state on global map for export trade.

According to NEPC, the strategic and geographical location of the state, which ensures access by air, water and land to the
international market, needs to be fully exploited to generate export revenue to boost the state’s economy and contribute to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Trade Promotion Advisor, NEPC, Calabar, Mr. Omorogbe Damian, stated this yesterday during a one-day capacity building workshop on Positioning Nigerian Products in Certified Niche Markets packaged by the agency for exporters in the state.

He urged the state government to develop legal framework for smooth commencement of activities by Export Promotion Bureau set up by the state years ago and to leverage existing synergy with federal ministries, departments and agencies to guarantee optimum utilisation of the Calabar Port and Calabar International Airport to kick start the process.

He lamented that though 40 per cent of Nigeria’s cocoa exports originate from Ikom in Cross River, it is credited to Lagos State in view of the export status of Lagos ports, describing the scenario as an anomaly that must be addressed to facilitate optimum operations of other ports across the country.

Damian said his primary mission in Cross River is to partner the state government in exploring viable options for speedy transformation of Calabar Port into a major export route.

In his address, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ezra Yakusak explained that the workshop was meant to sensitise exporters and prospective exporters on marketing for export business and to assist them in packaging or branding their products to meet with global standard specifications.

Yakusak, who was represented at the event by Mr. Omorogbe Damian, reiterated the commitment of NEPC to achieving its core mandate of diversifying Nigeria’s economy from oil by accelerating non oil exports to attract foreign earnings and guarantee stable economic growth.

In his welcome address, the Trade Promotion Adviser, Mrs. Sylvia Adeneye, said the event was a demonstration of the determination of the agency to increase global market access for Nigerian products by building the capacity of local farmers or manufacturers keen on exportation.

In his contribution, the Chief Trade Promotion Officer, Mr. Ayodele Sunday, noted that the training would educate participants on how to target and penetrate international markets.