MO STATE PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT: NIGERIAN EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL ( NEPC ) HOLDS EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF CRITICAL STAKEHOLDERS ON EXPORT DEVELOPMENT IN IMO STATE FOR PROMOTION OF NON OIL SECTOR, AND DIVERSIFICATION OF NIGERIA EXPORT TRADE

The Imo State Government has hosted a meeting of critical stakeholders on export development at Owerri, the state capital.

In his opening remarks, the Special Representative of the Governor at the National Council on Zero-Oil Revenue and Public, Private Partnership, Barr. Alex Onyekuru disclosed that the meeting was specifically initiated as a follow-up to the National Economic Council and Nigerian Governors Forum interface with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.

According to Dr. Onyekuru, the need to promote the concept and policy of zero oil revenue, is targeted towards preparing Imo State on how to harness the potentials from non-oil products.

The meeting was meant to inform Imo people about the new opportunities that have emerged, and the need to develop strategies on how to take advantage of the Export Development Fund.

Dr. Onyekuru stated that the state is pushing for the mainstreaming of export of skills and services whereby somebody can stay in Imo and work in any part of the world through outsourcing, as Imo have the highest exportable skilled labour force in Nigeria.

Continuing, Dr Onyekuru revealed that Imo State want to host the National Centre for Skills Export, which calls for the preparation of necessary infrastructures required to achieve the goal.

It will be recalled that Governor Hope Uzodimma, appointed Barr. Alex Onyekuru, as his Special Representative to interface with the two Federal Government Agencies (   Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and National Economic Council/ Export Promotion Commission to enable growth opportunities for Imo economy in line with the 3R shared prosperity vision.

In his own contribution, the South East Regional Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Arnold Jackson stated that the meeting is very crucial especially as the South East doesn't get to optimize the available opportunities to access intervention funds. On the Export Development Fund, Mr. Jackson said that the fund is meant for potential exporters as a pre-export incentive to encourage business ideas meant towards exports.

Speaking at the seminar, the Imo State Commissioner for Special Projects, Barrister Kingsley Ononuju called on the stakeholders to develop new export related enterprises outside of oil, and look into areas where we have comparative advantages, while sourcing for funds and other stimulus packages that are available.

Barrister Ononuju called for value addition especially in the area of packaging of products for export.

In her own contribution, the Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on NEPAD, Hon. Doris Tony Anyanwu infomed the participants that Imo is blessed with exportable products like Palm Oil, Cassava, Cashew, Rubber and Pineapple. She called for concerted efforts for value addition, pre-shipment incentives for small and medium scale enterpreneurs, and sensitization of producers for them to certify their products as part of their export development plans.

The meeting was attended by the Imo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Lambert Orisakwe, the Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu, Permanent Secretaries, the Trade Promotion Adviser of the NEPC, Mrs. Felicia Aghahia, representatives of the Nigerian Custom Service, Standards Organization of Nigeria,( SON)  Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria ( SMEDAN ), etc.

Publisher: Don Martyn L.O Nwosu

Ikeduru APC Media Hub

08032950897

Ikeduruapcmediahub@gmail.com