The Federal Government's commitment to tripling revenue generation in the non-oil sector within the next 18 months has been reaffirmed by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
According to available figures, in 2022 alone, the country lost about N21 billion worth of agricultural commodities due to border crossings with neighboring countries. Despite this, NEPC made a commitment.
This was revealed by NEPC Executive Director Nonye Ayeni in a speech to Kano's stakeholders and exporters. She informed the parties involved of the government's willingness to resolve issues impeding the seamless promotion of Nigerian exports and mentioned that NEPC is ready to support additional industry participants.
The government is accelerating the production and export viability of 15 agro-products by streamlining their journey from farm to market, according to the new NEPC CEO. Sesame seeds, peanuts, cashews, sorghum, beans, and hibiscus flowers are among the products.
Ayeni clarified that the project was not meant to disregard other items, but it would provide particular attention to the products that were chosen.
As per her statement, the Federal Government is striving to facilitate the formation of processing enterprises that can enhance the value of agricultural products, generate employment opportunities, diversify the economy, and increase foreign profits.
The actualization of its fundamental purpose, which calls for economic diversification through the development and marketing of non-oil products for export, aligns with the administration's Renewed Hope strategy, she continued.
The head of NEPC informed the stakeholders that the government will soon set up labs and packaging and aggregation centers at Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in order to standardize items before to export after the country's products were rejected abroad.
In order to solve the issues of product rejection and poor quality, she stated: "We are working to set up foundation factory and laboratory centers at our FTZs." To change the country's export, we have given ourselves a deadline of eighteen months.
We also need to start adding value to our products before exporting them, and we need to steadfastly adhere to the Federal Government's agenda and mission on this matter. We are aware of all the difficulties faced by the stakeholders, and we will make every effort to find solutions.
During the interactive session, exporters brought up a number of issues, including difficulties with product rejection, onerous procedures and bottlenecks related to product certification, and various taxes. The intended construction of laboratories was welcomed by the stakeholders, who claimed it would lessen the challenges at the port.