The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has charge exporters to devise market penetration strategies for the success of non-oil export business in Nigeria.
Executive Director of the NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, made the charge at a one-day workshop on export market penetration strategies, organised by the Council in Owerri, on Friday.
Ayeni, represented by the Imo Coordinator of the NEPC, Mr Anthony Ajuruchi, spoke on the theme: Utilizing Market Penetration Strategies for Increased Non-oil Export Market.
She urged exporters to seek to penetrate international markets, establish reliable presence and sustain competitiveness so as to compete globally.
According to Ayeni, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a market of over 1.3 billion people and a combined Gross Domestic Product exceeding $3 trillion, provides a platform for the expansion of Nigerian businesses across Africa and beyond.
“ Exporters must understand the dynamics of target markets, including consumer behaviour, regulatory standards, logistics and competitive positioning through persistent innovation and strategic thinking.
“ NEPC remains committed to supporting exporters through targeted programmes, capacity building, export advisory services and market linkage initiative “, he said.
The State Coordinator, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Comfort Echebiri, said that the organisation aids market penetration efforts by ensuring certification of products for global acceptance using its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme.
Echebiri, represented by an Assistant Standard Chief Officer, Mrs Ifeoma Diogu, urged stakeholders to look out for and be assured of the quality of products with the “Mark of Quality “ inscription on them.
Also speaking, the Imo Commissioner for Entrepreneurship, Skill Acquisition and Social
Responsibility, Prof. Chinonye Moses, represented by the Ministry’s Head of Skills Acquisition, Amaka Umeh, urged youths in the state to identify with the Association of Imo Young Farmers and be able to gain “requisite competence” for business development.
Also, the Head of Department, Agribusiness, of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Dr Glory Ben-Chendo, advised undergraduates to develop a business mentality for post graduation survival.
Ms Milicent Anyanwu, of the Technology Incubation Centre, Owerri, called on exporters to embrace the centre’s value added technology to expand their market penetration opportunities for optimal trade.
The Chief Operating Officer, Sochi Foods, Chief Martin Nwoga, thanked the NEPC for continuously creating necessary awareness for the success of export business in Imo and Nigeria at large and for being “an incredible partner in the success of Sochi Foods”.
Nwoga, a foremost manufacturer and exporter of cassava food products thanked the NEPC and other regulatory agencies of government such as NAFDAC, SON and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, for issuing relevant regulatory approvals and certifications to aid the company’s ease of operations.
He urged Nigerians to think more toward input into the economy rather than unending financial expectations from Government and advised potential exporters to align with relevant regulatory agencies.
“ Government is a facilitator, and the individual must do his part and take advantage of relevant certifications from government to thrive “, he said.
Our correspondent reports that the NEPC, on Wednesday, embarked on product exhibition to showcase locally made export products.