Harnessing export potentials of Ebonyi people on non oil sector has been one of the major mandates of Ebonyi State Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Ebonyi State Government through the Ministry in a bid to vigorously pursue this mandate has explored several mechanisms to achieve this objective in line with the policy programmes of Ebonyi State Government under the able leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State *Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi, FNSTE, FNATE*.
In a familiarization visit to Nigerian Export Promotion Council at the State office, Abakaliki on Thursday 8th July, 2021, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Commerce & Industry *Mrs. Ukwuta Ogonna C* gave a scorecard of the state government with reference to building strong SMEs in the state in an effort to harnessing made in Ebonyi products for exportation. She stressed that Ministry of Commerce & Industry has set up strategies to achieve this desired goal. She added that one of the strategies mapped out was to liaise with Nigerian Export Promotion Council in Ebonyi state, effectively utilize the State Export Committee, work in synergy & commence full implementation of *one state one product* exportation programme in the state. Mrs. Ukwuta stressed the need for regular sensitization, training and building strong SMEs in the state to enhance effective productivity for export readiness of the state on priority product and alternative product (cassava and solid minerals).
The Permanent Secretary added that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is currently embarking on acquiring massive lands for the cultivation of cassava, sesame seeds and harnessing its value chain for exportation purposes.
In his response, the State Promotion Council Trade Promotion Advisor, *Mr. Unanam Emmanuel* gave a rundown of the activities of the Council since 2016 in Ebonyi state, especially as it concerns sensitization of the business communities in export promotion, seminars, product surveys to discover export potentials and working with interested Cooperative Societies in the State. He maintained that the best way to make this achievement is liaising with the state committee on export promotion which is domiciled at Ministry of Commerce and Industry headed by the Permanent Secretary.
He said that the Zero oil economy is an initiative of the Federal Government brought in by Nigeria Export Promotion Council to diversify Nigeria economy by harnessing other local products for exportation.
He expressed his joy that Ebonyi state government has started implementing *one state, one product (OSOP)* which is an initiative of the council.
Mr. Unanam announced that one of the top priorities of the state council now is the training programme for the State Export Committee on export promotion to ensure that the state is in the same page with other states. He pledged his total collaboration with the Ministry with reference to the Ministry move to sponsor cultivation of Sesame seeds in large quantity in the state for exportation, considering its exportability value world wide.
The meeting ended with a charge by the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Ukwuta for regular collaboration with the council. She formally invited the Council to a strategic meeting organised by the Ministry of Commerce with State Export Committee on Tuesday 13th July, 2021 for immediate take off of ONSOP programme in the state.
In attendance with the Permanent Secretary were the Head of Commerce Department in the Ministry *Mrs. Mary Chima*, the Head of Trade Promotion in the Ministry *Elder Eseni Chima*, and the Head of Personnel and ICT in the Ministry *Mr. Ebenyi Joel*
Publisher: Don Martyn L.O Nwosu
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