NEPC, LCCI BRING EXPORTERS TOGETHER TO NARROW TRADE BETWEEN SWEDEN, NIGERIA

By Daniel Gumm
Sponsorship of Nigerian exporters to international trade fairs/exhibitions by air-freighting 100 kg of exhibits, provision of exhibition booths, interpreters, group transport and rebate of one-way air-tickets, among others are some market entry strategies put in place by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC to assist Nigerian exporters.

David I. Adulugba, Esq. Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, NEPC who acquainted participants and guests in a keynote address at a one-day National Seminar on Exporting to Sweden and European Union said the seminar is to address the low volume of trade betwwen Sweden and Nigeria with the balance of trade persistently in favour of Sweden, adding that only few non-oil products were being exported from Nigeria to Sweden.

Adulugba, who was represented by Mrrs. Omowunmi Osibo, a director at NEPC, said the seminar aims at achieving sensitisation of exporters and potential exporters on available market opportunities in Sweden and European Union, educate exporters on import regulations concerning quality standards, packaging, environment and chemical residue as well as create export awareness for Nigerian Exporters, among others.

The NEPC boss informed the audience that export facilitation, as part of its mandate the agency also provides information on trade enquiries from interested foreign buyers as well as granting of Export Expansion Grant, EEG, a post-shipment export incentive designed to assist exporters expand their production facilities, quote competitive prices by giving price rebate and diversify export markets.

The NEPC, according to Adulugba also conducts foreign markets research in target markets and information from such research is passed to interested exporters.

Earlier in his goodwill message, Otunba Olufemi Deru, President and Chairman of Council, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called on all relevant government authorities to remove trade barriers that serve as disincentives to bilateral and multilateral trade, adding that there was need for the nation to diversify its economy.