NEPC, CBI builds capacity for export promotion

In an effort to further boost the contribution of non-oil exports to the Nigerian economy, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Centre for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) Netherlands have put in place a capacity building programme as part of measures to actualising the target.

Staff of the council were undergoing a training programme on Export Marketing/Management that would help them provide technical support for Nigerian exporters who wish to export into the European Union market.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, at a 5-Day Professional Development Training Programme for NEPC Staff held at the NEPC Apapa Regional Office, Lagos.

Awolowo pointed out that the initiative is part of an effort to bring about economic empowerment of Nigerians with the aim of enabling Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) export development to the EU market – a function which is in line with the present Government’s policy on poverty reduction and job creation, especially with the inclusive growth for women.

He noted that empirical studies has shown that key challenges to export, both to the EU, Africa markets and rest of world are mainly in lack of knowledge, experience and exposure regarding export marketing and management among SME exporters and export regulatory agencies.

This, the Executive Director said, necessitated the Council’s collaboration with CBI to enhance knowledge and implement capacity building as an outcome of needs analysis adding that within the framework of this collaboration NEPC has decided to focus on three sectors viz Sesame Seed, Cocoa and Cashew nut as pilot products with the view to applying same strategies and processes in developing other products.

According to him, “the Council within this collaboration with CBI supports efforts to improve Market Information Systems (MIS), communications skills, quality management, trust, awareness and cooperation between Agencies.”

These Sectors are Pilot selections in the Capacity Building process for non-oil export development. We are optimistic to apply and transfer basic methodologies learnt to different product sectors and other professionals”, he submitted.

In his remarks, James Fitzpatrick, representing CBI, disclosed that Nigeria was chosen as a priority country for the Netherlands in view of the business and trade relations of the two countries and in line with the ideals of ZOP, apart from Nigeria’s huge market size and rich natural resources.

CBI is an Agency of the Netherlands government with more than 40 successful years of experience in export and trade development. It employs highly experienced business people to deliver its programmes. These programmes are connected to the realities of the markets and the challenges that export face.