The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has sensitised the Council Chairmen in Akwa Ibom state on the need to engage in export business due to the abundant resources available in their localities.
The council explained that most of the products needed for export were readily available at different LGAs hence the need to engage the LG chairmen.
Mrs. Pauline Ndulaka, the deputy director/trade promotion advisor of NEPC, Uyo assistant office disclosed this during a one day workshop on export potential in Akwa Ibom.
Blueprint correspondent reports that the event was organised by NEPC on the theme: Untapping and Unveiling the Abundant Export Potential of Akwa Ibom for the International Market.
She said that “the event is like a train the trainer workshop because most of the products are seen in the local government.
“The objective of this programme is to enlighten participants on export business, create awareness of the smart office activities, ascertain the challenges encounter in the course of export, and create a platform to interface with the local government Chairmen, exporters, and other critical stakeholders.
“When we talk about export business, mass production, inclusiveness, sustainability, and so on, you have to think for both federal, state, and local government.
‘Under this workshop, the local government chairmen will now see the need to let their people know the products that are good for export so that they can be mass-produced, and processed in line with global standards for export.
“There is always a need to gather local government chairmen together and brainstorm to find ways of tapping the products that are local governments for export.”
Ndulaka, however, assured that NEPC will continue to partner with the state and other critical stakeholders to achieve economic growth of the nation through adequate usage of the locally available resources.
In her address, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, commended the Council for living up to the expectations of the federal government.
Offor, represented by Dr. Emmanuel Iton, a director of the ministry assured that with the comparative advantage the state has in Cocoa, oil palm, and seafood, it will continue to partner with the council for export.
Speaking on behalf of the Council Chairmen, Mr. Iniabasi Ekanem, the Chairman of Onna LGA who thanked the council for the sensitisation, described the workshop “as an eye opener to possibilities in export”.
He assured that they will return to their respective localities to also enlighten their people on the need to engage in export business.
The event featured a paper presentation by Mrs. Ndulaka on the topic: General Overview of NEPC in Regards to Non-Oil Export Trade.