NEPC Moves To Address Poor Packaging Impediment To Export Trade

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has intensified efforts to ensure that there is an improvement in the quality of packaging and labelling of Nigerian products that are exported to other countries.

Between January and March this year, companies operating in Nigeria made the sum of $1.345bn from the export of non-oil products to other countries, figures released by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council have revealed.

The $1.345bn non-oil export figures for the first the first three months of this year, represent an increase of 8.50 per cent over the first quarter figure of 2022 which stood at $1.249bn.

A total number of 167 products were exported in the 1st quarter of 2023.

These products range from manufactured, semi-processed, solid minerals and raw agricultural commodities.

Poor packaging in particular is said to be one of the major reasons why Nigeria products are rejected in the international market, especially in Europe.

Speaking in Abuja at the technical session for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) organized by NEPC, Dr. EZra Yakusak expressed confidence that the programme will boost the country’s export capacity.

He said, “Today marks the launch of a series of packaging and labeling intervention sessions being organized by the NEPC.

“It is a reaffirmation of the Council’s commitment towards facilitating Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) efforts to overcome challenges posed by Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and in particular packaging and labelling for export.

“Today’s program has been carefully designed to enable product assessment, transfer of technical skills in packaging and labeling, a unique opportunity for the SME exporters to receive hands-on practical solutions, action plan for each of their products.

“You will recall that earlier this year, specifically on 8th March 2023, the Council hosted an exhibition of made in Nigeria products to commemorate the 2023 International Women’s day.”

He explained that the event had given the Council the rare opportunity to celebrate Nigerian Women Exporters and entrepreneurs who are distinguishing themselves in the non-oil export space.

He explained that, “during an inspection of the products exhibited, we saw the ingenuity and innovativeness of our Women in developing products that are targeted for export.

“The exhibition also revealed some inherent gaps in our products, which include poor or inappropriate packaging arising from incorrect cushioning materials, a mis-match sizes, misbranding, wrong labelling, incorrect or illegible graphics, infringement on trademarks, lack of barcodes, etc. could be attributed to Basically, these flaws dearth of knowledge on appropriate packaging and ignorance of importing countries packaging and labelling requirements among others.

“Realizing that getting the required knowledge remains a herculean task for our Women SMES, I promised them that the Council will provide intervention in the areas of packaging and labelling.”

Yakusak noted that, “today is a fulfilment of that promise. This program has therefore been designed or structured to bridge the knowledge gap, expedite compliance, enhance product competitiveness and achieve sustainable market access in Nigeria traditional and emerging markets.”