Sokoto, July 14, 2023: The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on Friday trained 50 onion producers and marketers in Sokoto on export procedures, government incentives and other value-chains to enhance their businesses.
Mr Yahaya Ahmad-Sukaraiju, the NEPC Trade Adviser and Head of Sokoto Zonal Office, said the training was part of the agency’s efforts to sensitise business owners on the onion value-chain.
Ahmad-Sukaraiju described export incentives as a catalyst for boosting non-oil export in Nigeria and urged business owners to register their items through the regulated modalities.
He reiterated that onion was selected as a follow-up to the Sokoto State Government’s, ”One State, One Product” initiative.
The NEPC official added that the activity was aimed at creating awareness for business owners on the incentives in NEPC to enable them become beneficiaries.
According to him, incentives will help in making domestic products competitive in the global market and encourage expansion of businesses.
“We need incentives to encourage expansion of exports, encourage businesses to export certain types of goods and services, facilitate greater market penetration and encourage domestic value-addition.
“Incentives are also needed for increased international competition and demand from foreign markets.
“Inadequate incentives are a disincentive to export,” he said.
In his presentation, Mal. Aminu Lawal, an Assistant Director, 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.
“Nigeria needs to export to earn increased foreign exchange and facilitate income for national development.
“A well-articulated export plan is critical in granting incentives to businesses. The Export Development Fund (EDF) and Export Expansion Grant are such incentives, which are awarded to qualified applicants.
“However, qualified applicants must be registered with the council,’’ Lawal said.
The resource person added that opportunities for the EDF were usually advertised, so applicants could upload their documents, including their proposals, to the council’s portal for processing.
Lawal explained that the NEPC was conducting several free training across the nation to build the capacity of businesses through value addition for export.
He said that this would have multiplier effects on the economy of the country.
Presentations were made by other NEPC officials – Mrs Adulugba Anne and Mr Abubakar Kolo – on ease of doing business and prospects of onion product in the international market.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu, the Chairman, National Onion Producers and Merchants Association, thanked the NEPC for its efforts in boosting the growth of the non-oil sector and encouraging exports.
Maitasamu said that his members’ constraints remained non-acceptability of traded money in denominations of African countries, adding that they faced difficulties in repatriating money despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s platforms.
He urged producers and marketers not to be distracted by challenges, saying that government was doing everything possible to reduce the problems associated with their businesses.
The event was attended by representatives of the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) led by Mr Mu’azu Bara’u; Alhaji Sani Hamidu, the Director of Commerce in the Sokoto State Ministry of Commerce among others.
