NEPC pushes traders to formalise their exports

The reduction of impediments to trade in the formal channel and having simple export incentives schemes can attract the informal traders to formalise their exports, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakusak has said. He spoke at a workshop themed ‘Cross Border Trade in the […]

The reduction of impediments to trade in the formal channel and having simple export incentives schemes can attract the informal traders to formalise their exports, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakusak has said.

He spoke at a workshop themed ‘Cross Border Trade in the West African sub-region; its Prospects, Challenges and the Way Forward’ organised by the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE).

The CEO of CPPE, Dr, Muda Yusuf noted that the theme of the workshop was apt, having regard to the progressive traction that the African Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is gaining on the continent.

“We need to broaden our perspectives and thinking beyond our individual countries.  We should begin to develop not only regional but also continental and global outlook for our businesses and economies,” he said.

Yusuf pointed out that with a robust African market of about 1.4 billion people, significant benefits of economies of scale would be enjoyed by businesses on the continent in the event of full market integration. This, according to him, will lower unit costs and enhance competitiveness.