Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria have been recommended to use the services of regulatory organisations set up by the federal government to make sure that their goods are accepted in overseas markets.
This guidance was given in Lagos by representatives of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and Bank of Industry (BOI) at the Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) workshop on the “MSME Business Optimisation Clinic Agenda.”
They urged Nigerians who wanted to start export businesses to get in touch with them for advice on certification, standardisation, finance, and the provision of incentives that would enable them to successfully run their export-oriented firms and bring in much-desired foreign cash for Nigeria.
Mr. Farouk A. Salim, the director general of SON, asserts that the organization’s products will assist Nigerian MSMEs in meeting the standards demanded by the nations to which they plan to export their goods. He also advises that MSMEs contact the organisation to have the agency interpret the standards demanded by the nations to which they plan to export their goods in order to prevent rejection.
Salim, who was represented by the Head of the SON’s SME Desk, Mrs. Phebean Arumemi, said: “Every country is cautious about what comes into its market to assist preserve their security, health, and safety. The use of standards is one tool a nation may employ to control what enters its borders. You risk having your product rejected if you don’t package it effectively.
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“You need to know that the government of Nigeria established and funds an organisation to make sure that Nigerian goods are successfully marketed abroad. SON is a supporting organisation that takes care of all the requirements necessary to assist your export. Instead of discouraging firms, our goal is to assist them in successfully producing and marketing their goods. Nigeria needs foreign currency, thus we advocate on its behalf in all international, continental, and regional bodies for the establishment and certification of standards to ensure that Nigeria adheres to global best practises.”
In a similar vein, the Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Dr. Ezra Yakusak, who was present and represented by the NEPC’s Chief Trade Officer (South), Mrs. Patience Afanide, stated that Nigerian MSMEs could export their goods anywhere in the world as long as they can adhere to standards and excellence.
“They need to take a close look at the laws of the country in which they intend to conduct business. We can lead them by the hand, advise them on packaging and market access, and even offer mentorship to individuals who have no prior experience with exports but wish to enter the field,” he said.
In order to participate in NEPC’s stakeholder meetings, where issues affecting all sectors of the economy are discussed, he advised MSMEs to register with the organisation.
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