Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC, has called on Nigerian exporters to ensure that the quality and standard of their products meant for the international market are of the required standard otherwise, when they are rejected it affects other Nigerian exporters.
NEPC warned intending exporters to master their businesses locally first before thinking of export, even as they urged them to be certain that their product fits into the particular market they intend to export to, both in its safety, quality and packaging.
Coordinator of NEPC in Cross River State, Dr. Osas Damain gave the advice at a 1-Day Interactive Sensitisation Forum for newly registered exporters in the state.
Damain told the intending exporters that they must first be in business successfully in Nigeria and try to understand how the international market works.
He urged them to understand the supply dynamics of their products and master them over time to be successful as exporters.
“You need to know that your buyers abroad will showcase your products in their advanced markets. So, ask yourself whether your products will fit into that market both in safety, quality and packaging.
“Abroad, they are precise, if they sign a contract with you and you fail or disappoint, that deal is cancelled and this does not just affect the exporter but the nation because other exporters that may want to go into similar export will encounter a brick wall,” he said
He appealed to the young exporters to avail themselves of more training and information which are available at NEPC.
Commissioner for Commerce in the state, Abigail Orok noted that there were no shortcuts in the export business, adding that the exporter should be ready to follow laid down procedures and proper certification of their products.
“While I believe that export is for the brave because it takes a lot of courage and there are many risks, I believe that whatever the exporter is doing, he should do it well,” she noted.
A resource person, Mrs Anie Iton noted too that it was important for Nigerians to go into export, emphasising that it was crucial to add value to their products before exporting.
Failure of one Nigerian exporter affects businesses of others – NEPC
