The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has described Federal Government loan and grant schemes as effective instruments for strengthening export trade.
Anthony Ajuruchi, NEPC Coordinator in Imo State, made this known during an engagement forum for non-oil exporters and trade-related agencies organised by the council in Owerri.
According to him, with adequate backing from government institutions, the export market in Imo, and Nigeria more broadly, has the potential to grow and compete on the global stage.
He encouraged exporters in the state to take full advantage of the soft loans and grants available to expand their businesses.
Also speaking, Austin Ikeh, Imo/Abia Coordinator of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), said the forum created an important platform to connect with stakeholders across the value chain.
He noted that through collaboration with the Nigeria Export-Import Bank, government support could be extended to farmers and exporters.
Mr Ikeh further advised exporters to secure the necessary certifications from regulatory agencies and build adequate knowledge of the export sector to qualify for government facilities.
On his part, Freeman Godwin, Chief Executive Officer of Belarhem Dynamic International Ventures, an exporter of edible food products, identified poor handling of goods by airline operators as a major challenge.
He stressed the need for better management practices, pointing out that exporters could not afford to squander loan opportunities. “At times, I have had to bear significant losses due to damages caused to my goods in warehouses as a result of poor preservation and handling by airlines,” he lamented.
