Mr Udeh Nduka, the Managing Director of Export and Sell Nigeria Ltd, has called on the Federal Government to simplify the process of exporting products to boost the non-oil sector in the country.
Nduka made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
He said the Export Expansion Facility Programme (EEFP) coordinated by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) had provided opportunity for local producer to export their products to markets in the U.S.
“But the challenge we and local producers are having in listing their products in other international markets like Amazon and others is the duplication of functions among various regulatory agencies in Nigeria.
“When it comes to export processes and documentation, there is too much duplication and delays from agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, Customs and others.
“These are things that the Federal Government need to make it simple and easy for local producers to export to other country and earn foreign exchange.
“When such is done, it will boost the non-oil sector export and contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the country. Our naira will in turn gain value and be strong in the international markets,” Nduka said.
He stressed that NEPC had been doing so much in the areas of training, facilitations and helping Nigerian businesses get licenses.
He added that the only issue was that after NEPC had played their roles, the other processes with other agencies become so complicated.
“There is need for the Federal Government to facilitate the simplification of other processes at NAFDAC, SON, Customs and others to ensure that Nigerian products are exported to other countries in large quantity.
“It is worthy to mention that there are so many opportunities for Nigerian products in the U.S. which if harnessed and exported, Nigeria could be making up to 10 billion dollars annually from the American Market alone.
” It is not rocket science or magic, it is practically possible, if things are simplified for local producers to export their products with the right packaging and warehousing facilities, we will not depend on oil again.
“By and large, the EEFP and NEPC are a great blessings and easy gate ways to boost the non-oil sector of the country.
“The only challenge is the duplication of processes by other regulatory agencies,” Nduka said. (NAN)