Businesses in Anambra state can now be issued export certificates for processed food products within twenty-four hours, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC has said.
Deputy Director Enugu/Onitsha Port Inspection Directorate, Mrs. Uche Emekekwue disclosed this during a seminar organized by Ministry of Industry for Industries and Small and Medium-scale Enterprises, SMEs in the state tagged “Accelerating Made-In Anambra by promoting, developing non-oil export”.
She said issuance of approvals for all export activities could be done within 24 hours upon receipt of the application.
“NAFDAC now has a process in place that enables her to issue export certification for processed food products within 24 hours,” she said.
On her part, the Regional Coordinator, South East, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Macpherson Fred-Ileogben identified insufficient recording of export activities as part of the challenges facing export trading in the zone.
He said what government is doing today is building capacity of citizens because real export trading needs capacity and competence.
He however observed that the challenge is that many of these trades are unrecorded.
Fred-Ileogben said; “Every day you see containers moving to the ports but many of them are not recorded. This is a major challenge.
“More needs to be done as far as exports is concerned. The entire Southeast is predominantly an import destination. All the players and stakeholders should work together to ensure export activities are boosted for increased foreign exchange reserve, and job creation, among others.
“We in the NEPC are looking at how we can mainstream exports to ensure the activities are adequately tracked and the needed infrastructure provided. There’s also a need for public enlightenment among the business community.”
While lamenting the huge economic losses being incurred by the government and private businesses following protracted weekly Monday sit-at-home in Southeast, Fred-Ileogben called for a political solution to the impasse.
He expressed concern over what he described as a “muscles flexing” approach by some state governments towards ending the ugly trend, canvassing for dialogue as the better option.
The Publicity Rep, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Engr Fidelix Waridoko said part of the responsibilities of his organization include assisting in empowering and developing exporters’ capacity to double their export businesses by insisting on quality and standards.
“We certify products that meet global standards for cross-border businesses. We also guide exporters, and manufacturers to ensure their products are manufactured through our schemes.
“We also take samples of their products and issue them certificates of quality which they will tender as export documents.
“There’s a need for sensitization from planning to manufacturing stage and exports itself. Throughout the processes, SON plays the role of business facilitator, big brother to importers and exporters.
“We’re also concerned about ensuring that made-in-Nigeria products are of quality to meet best international standards and are in line with global best practices.
“We therefore call on those engaged in informal exports to approach us and be properly guided so their products can compete favorably in the global market,” he said.
Earlier, Commissioner of Industry Mr Christian Udechukwu said the Ministry’s partnership with relevant stakeholders, including the NAFDAC, NEPC and SON had continued to yield the desired results of boosting the state economy.
He noted that the news about NAFDAC now having a process in place that enables her to issue export certification for processed food products within 24 hours is a significant milestone for his Ministry, in view of the recent position of the state as number 1 in ease of doing business in Southeast and number 7 in Nigeria as well as best SME friendly state in the region.
On his part, Special Assistant to Soludo on Commerce and Industry, Eloka Maduekwe described exports as one major panacea to the nation’s dwindling economy.
“Today’s gathering is essentially put together to sensitize stakeholders on what export is all about, with the support of relevant agencies.
“Export is the way out, considering the dwindling economy of the country. Trade must have to be balanced.
“We want our youths and women to develop interests in exports and earn foreign exchange,” he added.
