The NEPC Trade Adviser and Head of the Sokoto zonal office, Mr Yahaya Ahmad -Sukaraiju, said the training was part of the agency’s efforts to sensitize business owners on onion value chains.
Ahmad-Sukaraiju described export incentives as a catalyst for boosting non-oil export in Nigeria and urged business owners to enlist their items through the regulated modalities.
He said Onion is selected in Sokoto state following the Initiative of the ”One State, One Product” programme adding that the activity was aimed at creating awareness for business owners on the incentives in NEPC to enable them to become beneficiaries.
According to him, incentives would help in making domestic products competitive in the global market and encourage the expansion of businesses.
“We need incentives to encourage expansion of exports, encourage businesses to export certain types of goods and services to facilitate greater market penetration and encourage domestic value-addition.
“For increased international competition and the demand for foreign markets. Inadequate incentives is a disincentive to export,” he said.
Speaking in his presentation, Mal. Aminu Lawal, an Assistant Director from NEPC Headquarters, dwelled on the key functions of NEPC, its legal framework and functions stressing that incentives were provided to make the Nigerian economy viable.
Lawal said Nigeria needed to export to earn and business owners progress, increased foreign exchange, and facilitate income for national development.
He said that a well-articulated export plan was critical in granting incentives to businesses and listed Export Development Fund (EDF) and Export Expansion Grant as incentives being awarded to qualified applicants who must be registered with the council.
The Resource Person said that opportunities of the EDF were usually advertised for applicants to upload their documents, including their proposals to the council’s portal for processing.
He further explained that NEPC was conducting several free training across the nation to build the capacity of businesses through value addition for export, saying it would have multiplier effects on the economy of the country.
Other presentations were made by NEPC officials Mrs Adulugba Anne and Mr Abubakar Kolo on the ease of doing business and the prospect of onion products in the international world.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu, the chairman National Onion Producers and Merchants Association, thanked NEPC for their efforts in boosting the growth of the non-oil sector and encouraging export.
Maitasamu noted that his member’s constraints remained the difficulties faced in repatriating trade income.
He urged producers and marketers not to be detracted by challenges as the government is taking steps to reduce the problems associated with the business.
