NIGERIA EXPORT DEVELOPMENT PRE-SHIPMENT INCENTIVES A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT

Small and Medium Enterprises  involved in non-oil exports now have a cause to cheer as plans are underway to forge the repackaging of export incentives to center on  Pre-shipment benefits that would stimulate activities in the sector and therefore boost the nation’s non-oil exports.


This was disclosed by the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Mr. Olusegun Awolowo while receiving the Chief of Party, USAID/Nigeria Expanded Trade and Transport , Mr. Alf Monaghan in his office at Abuja.

Mr. Awolowo who observed that over the years the Council has focused more on administering post-shipment incentives especially the Export Expansion Grant , said efforts are now geared towards providing investment opportunities in the sector for Small and Medium Enterprises that would guarantee employment and wealth creation through the Export Development Fund  which is a pre-shipment grant to boost exports.

Given the huge population of Nigerians in some major cities like Johannesburg, London, Atlanta Georgia and Houston Texas, he disclosed that the Council intends to promote the creation of Nigerian Towns in these cities to facilitate the exports of local products and foods by Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Responding, Mr. Monaghan said that Nigeria Expanded Trade and Transport was a four year project designed to promote inclusive growth and food security in Nigeria and they would be willing to support the Council in the areas of mutual interest to boost the volume of non-oil export from the Country.

He noted that Nigeria Expanded Trade and Transport was working with select Private Sector organizations to stimulate business activities within the Kano-Jibbing-Lagos  Corridor. He opined that trade offices should be separated from the Embassies to make them more effective as trade facilitators.

Mr. Awolowo added that plans are underway to establish Regional Trade and Investment Offices in some major cities of the world including Brazil, London, United States of America  and the Middle East.