The NEPC Trade Adviser and Head of the Sokoto zonal office,
Mr Yahaya Ahmad -Sukaraiju, said the training was part of the agency’s efforts
to sensitize business owners on onion value chains.
Ahmad-Sukaraiju described export incentives as a catalyst
for boosting non-oil export in Nigeria and urged business owners to enlist
their items through the regulated modalities.
He said Onion is selected in Sokoto state following the
Initiative of the ”One State, One Product” programme adding that the activity
was aimed at creating awareness for business owners on the incentives in NEPC
to enable them to become beneficiaries.
According to him, incentives would help in making domestic
products competitive in the global market and encourage the expansion of
businesses.
“We need incentives to encourage expansion of exports,
encourage businesses to export certain types of goods and services to
facilitate greater market penetration and encourage domestic value-addition.
“For increased international competition and the demand for
foreign markets. Inadequate incentives is a disincentive to export,” he said.
Speaking in his presentation, Mal. Aminu Lawal, an Assistant
Director from NEPC Headquarters, dwelled on the key functions of NEPC, its
legal framework and functions stressing that incentives were provided to make
the Nigerian economy viable.
Lawal said Nigeria needed to export to earn and business
owners progress, increased foreign exchange, and facilitate income for national
development.
He said that a well-articulated export plan was critical in
granting incentives to businesses and listed Export Development Fund (EDF) and
Export Expansion Grant as incentives being awarded to qualified applicants who
must be registered with the council.
The Resource Person said that opportunities of the EDF were
usually advertised for applicants to upload their documents, including their
proposals to the council’s portal for processing.
He further explained that NEPC was conducting several free
training across the nation to build the capacity of businesses through value
addition for export, saying it would have multiplier effects on the economy of
the country.
Other presentations were made by NEPC officials Mrs Adulugba
Anne and Mr Abubakar Kolo on the ease of doing business and the prospect of
onion products in the international world.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Alhaji Aliyu
Maitasamu, the chairman National Onion Producers and Merchants Association,
thanked NEPC for their efforts in boosting the growth of the non-oil sector and
encouraging export.
Maitasamu noted that his member’s constraints remained the
difficulties faced in repatriating trade income.
He urged producers and marketers not to be detracted by
challenges as the government is taking steps to reduce the problems associated
with the business.
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