By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse
The Nigeria-Export Import Bank, (NEXIM) on Thursday organized an exporter enlightenment forum for farmers and exporters in Jigawa state to boost their export.
The programme, which took place at the Gumel Emirate Foundation Hall, Gumel local government, the Northwest Jigawa, drew speakers and industry experts from the relevant government agencies and private sector players, who were on hand to share their experiences on how to make Nigerian products competitive in the global market.
Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Abba Bello described the programme as part of the bank’s commitment towards supporting and empowering exporters, who, he said, play vital role in driving the nation’s economic diversification and development.
Represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services of the Bank, Mr. Ibrahim Khalil Gaga, Bello said, “We’re to committed to supporting and empowering our exporters as the programme is you with the necessary knowledge, tools and resources to navigate the complexities of the global market and to maximize your export potential.”
He described the theme of the forum, which is, “Empowering SMEs for Global Market Success: Strategies for Sustainable Export Growth”, as apt and timely giving the country’s gradual shifting from reliance on a single product (fuel) to the era of multiple sources of income.
The NEXIM boss identified agricultural sector as a critical sector that could be be used to address the abject poverty in the state, support national growth and development.
He said the choice of Jigawa for the enlightenment campaign on export promotion was because of the bank’s belief that the state has comparative advantage of many agricultural products ranking high in non-oil export from Nigeria.
He said, it is unfortunate despite the agricultural potentiality in the state, Jigawa still ranks among the poorest states in Nigeria.
“We have therefore, organized this engagement with a view to enlightening the people of the state on how they can take advantage of different facilities in our bank to commence exporting agricultural products such as sesame and Hibiscus that are produced in large quantity in the state.
“We are also enlightening the people on the process rules and regulations for exporting products to foreign countries and how you can reach us at individual or group for more comprehensive guide “
He, however stated that, promoting exporting such goods would enhance local skills, create jobs, promote wealth, creation growth and development.
Babangida, Hussaini, the senator representing Jigawa Northwest Senatorial District in the National Assembly identified Jigawa as a state, where Hibiscus and Sesame are one of the premium grades in a global market but lamented that the people of the state were not benefiting from exporting the commodities.
Hussaini promised to continue collaborating with NEXIM Bank to enhance the skill and capacity of the people of the state to reap from the advantage for poverty eradication jobs creation and sustainable development.
The Head of Northwest Region of the bank, Mr. Nasiru Inuwa in a paper tilted “Improving Access to NEXIM ‘s Products and Exports Development Facilities” highlighted the bank’s strive so far in complimenting the efforts of the governments in the region.
Similarly, Mr. Yusuf Ismailia Ahmed, the Northwest Coordinator of the the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, (NEPC), in a paper on “Overview of Exportable Products and Markets” submitted that Nigeria exported goods worth $4.5billion US in 2023 alone.
He added that the northwest combined generated a total of $7.44billion; Hibiscus worth $127.8 million; Soya beans worth $11.4 million and ginger worth $1.31 million for the period under review.
News5 days ago
News6 days ago