NEPC trains 100 entrepreneurs in digital marketing
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti trained no fewer than 100 small and medium scale entrepreneurs and registered exporters on how to access export marketing through e-commerce options.
The Akure Smart office of NEPC covers activities of Ondo and Ekiti states.
The theme of the workshop is, “Accessing Export Market: The E-Commerce Option”.
Addressing the participants, Mr Oluwole Monehin, the Trade Promoting Advisor(TPA) of NEPC, Akure Smart Office, noted that export businesses were dynamic, information-driven and knowledge-based, “hence the need for the training”
“Your understanding of basic export related knowledge such as presentation of export plan, procedures and documentation, appropriate export pricing, acceptable packaging , payment terms and access to relevant funds are very strategic to success in your export endeavours.
“And I commend your commitment and patriotism to the economic diversification agenda of the Federal Government, most especially the non-oil export sector,” he said.
Monehin added that NEPC, as a trade support institution, was committed to playing a leading role in accelerating and providing a conducive environment for Nigeria’s effective and profitable participation in the international space.
According to him, NEPC from time to time builds the capacities of exporters and potential exporters, to enable them to compete favourably with their counterparts across the world.
He stated that NEPC had taken pragmatic steps to redesign non-oil export direction through a programme tagged the Zero Oil plan, intended to provide a future economy for Nigeria without oil.
Monehin listed some recent series of activities of the NEPC Smart Office to include: capacity building programme for cocoa farmers on Hood Agricultural Practices(GAP).
“We also presented fermentation boxes to some beneficiary farmers and also carried out capacity building programmes for cashew farmers and marketers on GAP.
“The office equally trained cotton farmers on pre and post harvest handling and management of cotton for quality production at Itapaji in Ekiti.
“NEPC, Akure Smart office, also taught how to use agriculture produce drying equipment for product quality improvement, preservation and export competitiveness to farmers,” he stated.
He, therefore, encouraged the participants to make use of the workshop for optimal benefits.
Mr Bamidele Arowosola, the Permanent Secretary of Ekiti State Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce, commended NEPC for organising the workshop , which he said was in accordance with the state government’s policies and programme.
Arowosola, who added that the topic was timely and relevant, said NEPC was a viable partner to move the state’s economy forward, adding that the partnership was important to the government.
He noted that the volume of trade conducted electronically had gone up tremendously in the world, hence the need to be have knowledge of the trend.
According to him, e-commerce is a viable use of business and has revolutionised trade in the world.
Responding, Miss Similoluwa Adesola, a bead maker, said that the trainings had helped her to expand her business venture, thanking NEPC for organising it.
Similarly, Mr Daniel Adesanya, an agro-produce business man, noted that he had got some insights for necessary certification for rules and regulations for exportation.
While appreciating NEPC and urging the agency to keep re-training, Adesanya added that appropriate information was needed for business expansion.