NEPC organizes roundtable for exporters in Kano

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Humphrey Abah said the forum was to provide a platform for contributions and presentations from both the private and public sector that would be useful in appraising the functionality of the existing non–oil export promotion policies. The outcome, he said, would help […]

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Humphrey Abah said the forum was to provide a platform for contributions and presentations from both the private and public sector that would be useful in appraising the functionality of the existing non–oil export promotion policies. The outcome, he said, would help in redesigning of the non-oil export road map in line with the 7-point agenda of the president.

The minister noted that over the years the government had established specialized agencies such as NEPZA, NEPC, NEXIM and NIPC as well as enacted policies that address the major problems of supply and demand of non-oil export. He cited the Nigerian movie industry, is currently attracting attention, as an indication of the country`s ability to promote its products outside the shores.

In a remark the representative of the Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, Alhaji Ubale Jakada Kiru, who is a member of the committee, said the lack of good leadership was what was making the resources in the country not enjoyable to the citizens. He fiercely argued that the political dispensation of over a decade had not supported the export aspiration of the nation. He also berated the 7-Point agenda saying it should be minimized to the topmost priorities like electricity.

The executive director of the export promotion council Barrister David Adulegba revealed that the NEPC would open seven more zonal offices in the six geo-political zones of the country to further enhance its activities. He said emphasis on oil has led to neglect of the other sector, noting that the forum would be a bridge between the public and private sector.

While addressing participants the managing director of the coy that jointly organized the roundtable with NEPC, Koinonia ventures Olufemi Boyede, said there was a gap created between exporters and the authorities which they sought to fill. He emphasized that there was an absence of dialogue which brought up the idea of the forum. The president of the manufacturers association of Nigeria Alhaji Bashir Borodo who also spoke, said there was need for mentoring and protection of exports as is the practice worldwide.