NEPC certifies 36 SME exporters to minimise products rejection by foreign partners — Yakusak

The Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Ezra Yakusak has stated that 36 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) exporters had been certified further to enhance the country’s non-oil exports as well as to minimise products rejection by foreign partners.

Yakusak also disclosed that as the Nigerian economy was largely driven by the non-oil sector, which accounted for 92.51per cent of GDP in the third quarter of the year (Q3 2021), the council is currently working to address the frequent rejection of Nigerian exports especially by the European Union among others.

Yakusak, while addressing the beneficiaries at a brief ceremony in Abuja, said the cardinal objective of the project was to encourage value addition against the export of raw agricultural produce.

He pointed out that the certification would enable the SMEs compete favourably in the lucrative international markets while getting premium pricing for their products.

“It will also facilitate SMEs access to certified niche non-oil export international markets and to compete favourably in the lucrative international markets while getting premium pricing for their products.

“You are all aware that penetrating international markets for processed and value-added products, particularly food items require additional voluntary certification to enable the products access overseas market”, he said

He also explained that accessing global markets had become stricter due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, which requires tougher inspection regimes at border control points in importing countries.

According to him, “Accessing global markets has become stricter due to the on-going pandemic, which requires tougher inspection regimes at Border Control Points (BCPs) in importing countries.

“These stricter and increasingly competitive requirements imply therefore, that exportable food items must strive to acquire additional non-mandatory certification(s) to enable it compete globally.

“Non-mandatory certifications (e.g. ISO, HACCP, GMP, etc.,) are global certification, trusted by consumers and end-users of products and services, and are attained, based on the reputation of the certifying bodies.”

He emphasised that the Export Expansion Facility (EEG) programme would be leveraged for the certification of more SME exporters in preparation for the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement (AfCFTA).

He added that the main objective was to encourage value addition against the export of raw agricultural produce.