Michael Onwuka, Enugu
No fewer than 45 newly registered non-oil exporters in Enugu were on Friday trained by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
The Assistant Director, NEPC, Mrs Ngozi Ibe, said that the training was carried out under the Export Clinic of the council which was specially designed to build the capacities of the trainees.
Ibe said that the training covered all the basics of non-oil export sector in the country, adding that the participants would be educated on export procedures, documentation, certification and other needs.
“The clinic will unveil the myriads of benefits that exporters stand to enjoy in the course of exporting formally,” she said.
She said that NEPC had over the years worked to achieve its mandate by coordinating and harmonizing export development and promotion activities in the country.
“The NEPC has taken the lead in all national export programmes and interfacing with international trade agencies on cooperation and capacity building.
“We recognise that international trade is quite different from local trading with several unique features and intricacies that set it apart.
“To this end, it is quite necessary for potential exporters and newly registered exporters to be guided through the process of exporting from Nigeria in order to maximize opportunities and avoid common mistakes,” Ibe said.
Also, the South-East Regional Coordinator, NEPC, Mr Arnold Jackson, said the mandate of the council was to spearhead the diversification of the Nigerian economy by expanding and increasing non-oil exports for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Jackson said that government had actively sought to facilitate export of commodities which he described as crucial for the economy.
The regional coordinator said that the council was always available to assist current and potential non-oil exporters to succeed.
In an interview, one of the participants, Mrs Nwamaka Eneh, applauded the council for their vibrant activities in the state.
Eneh said that she had never known about the activities of the NEPC until recently, adding that it was a new dawn for potential exporters in the region.
