The Cross River State Government has launched an initiative to boost its non-oil exports, to broaden the state’s economy and increase foreign currency income.

In partnership with the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), a workshop called “Product development and export readiness for registered and would-be exporters in Cross River state” has been initiated. 

This workshop aims to provide local farmers and business owners with the necessary skills to comply with international export requirements.

During a two-day export capacity-building workshop in Calabar on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. Abigail Duke Orok, stressed the importance of moving from classroom training to actual export activities involving agricultural goods such as Bitter kola, Ogbono, Plantain, Palm oil, and Beniseed.

She said, “Cross River is richly endowed with agricultural resources, yet outsiders dominate the trade of these commodities,” she said. 

“We must empower our people to process, package, and export these goods to earn foreign exchange.”

Dr. Orok revealed that the state is already making strides in coffee and tea cultivation, with nurseries established in the central and northern districts. 

She also highlighted partnerships with export experts, including Dr. Ofon Udofia of the Exports Institute in Rivers State, to facilitate the process.

The NEPC State Coordinator affirmed the council’s commitment to product development: “Our goal is to ensure Cross River’s goods are export-ready and competitive in global markets.”

A technical session featured Dr. AniIton of Bright Flow Logistics, who detailed export prerequisites, and Dr. OfonUdofia, who gave a practical presentation on product export readiness and packaging.

The workshop’s second day centred on enabling women-led enterprises to capitalise on export possibilities, notably access to a $5 million grant from the World Trade Organisation.

Source: Punch

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