By
Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
In a significant move to improve the export sector, the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO) in collaboration with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), began hosting of a two-day event focused on "Fostering Collaboration within Edo State’s Export Ecosystem."
The event, which included a high-level stakeholder engagement and a technical workshop, aimed to address key challenges and unlock new opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Managing Director of ESIPO, Hon. Amen Odigie in his opening speech, emphasized the need for a strengthened export framework, highlighting the event as a "call to action."
He stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for exporters, ensuring seamless access to markets, financing and compliance support.
The Edo State Coordinator, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Okhiulu Andrew noted that one of the challenges facing export in Nigeria is the fact that many exporters are interested in informal export which affects accurate data in terms of export in the country. He added that it will be more profitable for businesses to carry out formal and Legal export.
The event brought together exporters, policymakers, regulatory agencies, and financial institutions to engage in meaningful discussions and strategic collaborations.
A key focus of the technical workshop, held today , March 19th, was enhancing the export process for MSMEs.
Participants which include Nigeria Customs Service, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Small Scale Industrialist (NASSI), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) among others identified several critical challenges, including the difficulty in tracking export data, distinguishing between formal and informal exports, and the need for systematic export standardization.
The workshop emphasized the importance of clustering producers to maintain quality and meet international standards. Successful models from other Nigerian states highlighted the necessity of practical training and certification requirements over theoretical approaches for effective market access.
A significant gap identified during the workshop was the lack of adequate laboratory infrastructure for product testing within Edo State. This deficiency hinders the product certification process, a crucial step for accessing international markets.