AWOLOWO PERSUADES CROSS RIVER EXPORTERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AFCFTA

On Thursday, the Chief executive officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo has called on Nigerian exporters to take advantage of the opportunities available in the African Continental Free Trade Area, (AFCFTA) market.

He spoke during a one day workshop to sensitise potential exporters on efforts to expedite the competitiveness of Nigerian exportable brands.

The workshop, held in Calabar was themed, ‘Export Competency Development to enhance MSMEs Success in ECOWAS and (AFCFTA).

Awolowo said, “Cross River exporters should be prepared for the African single largest market.

“It’s our responsibility as an apex agency responsible for the promotion of non-oil export to ensure that our exporters are fully armed with all necessary skills and requirements to be able to operate in this market”

Represented by the Deputy Director, Policy and Strategy, Akintunde Folorunso said AFCFTA will boost Intra -African trade by 53.3%.

He stated that it also covers a gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.5 trillion of the African market.

Awolowo further said the Export Expansion Facility Programme (EEFP) is one of the laudable initiatives and support of the Federal Government for SMEs in the country.

Speaking earlier, the chief trade promotion officer, Calabar Export, Sylvia Adeneye said the primary objective of the workshop was to enhance MSMEs success in penetrating the export market by taking full advantage of AFCFTA and ECOWAS Trade Liberation Scheme (ETLS).