Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has trained exporters of locally produced goods on improved packaging and labelling for exports
The executive Director of the NEPC, Mr Ezra Yakusak disclosed this during the opening session of the training in Owerri, Imo state Thursday,
He described packaging as a crucial component of product adaptation.
Speaking on the theme: ” Good Product Packaging; Panacea for Sustainable Export Market Penetration”, Yakusak said that packaging occupies a premium position in export logistics and market penetration dynamics.
The NEPC helmsman, who was represented by the Council’s Trade Promotion Advisor in Imo, Mr Anthony Ajuruchi, harped on the need to devote enough time to packaging and labelling so as to make the product appealing to the buyer.
” An in-depth look at the products manufactured here in Imo indicates that while they are good, many with certifications from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, some gaps still exist that need to be filled.
” That was the compelling need for the Council to organise this packaging and labelling clinic, intended to serve as a forum to diagnose existing deficiencies in our current packaging and profer solutions that will enable us have better packaging for export “, he said.
He called on participants at the clinic to utilise training and experiences from the resource persons so as to achieve better packaging for improved marketability of export products in the state.
Speaking, Prof. Clifford Owuamanam, of the Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, urged exporters in the state to embrace modern packaging methods so as to stay relevant.
According to him, the customers usually meet the products before meeting the producers, hence the need for attractive packaging and labelling.
Mr Emmanuel Ube, an apiculturist, who exports honey and other bee products, called on government to checkmate deforestation, which he said was limiting his productivity by aiding the diminishing of plant nectar.
Also, Mrs Amaka Obiloma, the Chief Executive Officer of Green Health Care Services, who exports herbal tea and food spices, called for improved electric power supply to help decrease cost of production of export products.
Another exporter, Mr Uche Chilaka, who exports cashew nuts, called for increased funding from Federal Government to help exporters buy more equipment, expand their businesses and produce more so as to meet up with market demands.
