Ogun State Government on Tuesday challenged Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state to take advantage of its agro-cargo Airport at Iperu to export their goods and boost their businesses.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olu Aikulola, threw the challenge at Abeokuta when he addressed the first quarter meeting of the State Committee on Export Promotion (SCEP) for 2024.
Aikulola noted that small business owners could use the airport and other infrastructures in the state to launch their products into the export market and maximise profits.
He said government had created the right atmosphere for the export of processed goods with the provision of the agro-cargo airport and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone.
He added that the African Export Import Bank (Afrexim Bank) also has its African Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) in Ogun, to ensure quality certification.
Aikulola challenged entrepreneurs to regard infrastructure provided by government and the current economic challenges as opportunities to export goods to earn foreign exchange.
“The agro-cargo airport has made it easy for anyone who is truly serious about exporting products.
“You can harvest vegetables in the morning and before the day is over it will be on the shelves in supermarkets abroad.
“Even when you need to certify your product, the AQAC can help you do that conveniently.
“Many states do not have the combination of these export drivers like we have in Ogun. It is important that entrepreneurs leverage on these infrastructure and venture into exportation,’’ Aikulola said.
The permanent secretary stressed the need for entrepreneurs to have positive mind-set about government’s efforts at helping businesses to expand within and beyond the country’s borders.
This, according to him, will ensure that entrepreneurs do not miss out on different benefits and grants provided by the federal and state governments for their businesses to grow.
He cited grants awarded at the 2nd Expanded National MSMEs Business Clinics held recently in Abeokuta.
Aikulola also told the meeting that the committee had been providing necessary support for the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to boost non-oil export in Ogun.
He noted that the committee had been helping different MSMEs to export their products and enjoined entrepreneurs interested in export business to register with the NEPC.
The permanent secretary explained that the registration was necessary to avoid needless pitfalls and losses that might result from products rejection abroad.
He assured that NEPC registration was seamless via www.nepc.gov.ng
In her remarks, Mrs Frascisca Odega, Coordinator, NEPC in Ogun, commended Ogun government for collaborating with it to promote exports.
She expressed optimism that the agro-cargo airport in Ogun would boost export of agricultural commodities.
