Uyo: The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has urged entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom to ensure proper documentation of their products in line with international best practices before exporting them. The call was made during a sensitisation workshop organised for entrepreneurs in Uyo, where the Executive Director of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, emphasized the importance of documentation in export trade.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ayeni, represented by Mr Idongesit Essien, Akwa Ibom Coordinator of NEPC, highlighted that the workshop aimed to equip Nigerian exporters with the necessary knowledge to compete effectively in the global marketplace. The event, themed 'Strengthening Trade Documentation and Adherence to Importing Country Requirements,' stressed that exporting readiness extends beyond producing quality goods to include compliance, documentation, and alignment with international trade standards.
Ayeni underscored that a single error in paperwork could lead to shipment delays, penalties, or even rejection of products at destination ports. She noted, "This session, therefore, aims to bridge these gaps by providing clarity on export procedures, strengthening understanding of compliance requirements, and enhancing exporters' capacity to meet the demands of importing countries."
According to Ayeni, NEPC, as the lead agency for the promotion of non-oil exports, is intensifying efforts to raise awareness and provide training on international market requirements. The council is also facilitating the use of pre-shipment inspection and certification to enhance product acceptability.
In his welcome remarks, state coordinator Essien, represented by Mrs Christiana Ekeng, Head Product and Market Division, NEPC, commented on the necessity of the workshop given Nigeria's increasing focus on diversifying its economy through non-oil exports. He highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerian products in international markets, often due to poor documentation and non-compliance with quality standards. "With the right knowledge and adherence to best practices, we can lower rejection rates and help Akwa Ibom exporters compete effectively in global markets," Essien stated.
Mr Usen Effiong, Executive Director of Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP), also addressed the attendees, urging state entrepreneurs to embrace export to enhance the country's GDP. He assured that the state government would continue to provide professional advisory services to stakeholders and support entrepreneurship and industrialisation. Additionally, Effiong mentioned that the state government had allocated N2 billion with the Bank of Industry (BoI) for entrepreneurs to access and improve their businesses.
In a goodwill message, Mrs Molly Asanga, Uyo Port Officer, Nigerian Shippers' Council, reiterated the importance of proper documentation for products intended for export to avoid rejection and ensure compliance with international best practices.