Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
Livestock farmers in Rivers State have been warned by the federal government not to export pigs or pork meat to Saudi Arabia in their quest to earn foreign currency from the lucrative export business.
The warning was given during yesterday’s one-day non-oil export clinic for new exporters looking to develop international business in Rivers State and the Niger Delta organized by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, South-South Regional Office, at Aldgate Hotel, Sani Abacha Road, GRA 3, Port Harcourt.
In his paper entitled -The Intricacies In International Trade (Export Business)- Mr Ofon Udofia, the Secretary/CEO, Institute of Export Operations and Management, told the participants that any farmer thinking of exporting pigs to Saudi Arabia is wasting his time as the Islamic nation does not welcome that.
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He also informed them that crops such as maize, and hides and skin as well as timber, among others, are prohibited for export in Nigeria.
He advised new exporters to start with one or two products and focus on few markets until they learn the ropes, adding that after initial success, they could add new lines.
Earlier in his welcome address at the event, which had the theme: Getting Ready To Export, the South-South Regional Coordinator of the Council, Mr Joe Itah, said the clinic was designed for newly registered exporters to learn the ropes of export business, interact and share information that will deepen their understanding of non-oil export sector and the potentials therein.
“Therefore, the vagaries of oil trade and the need to increase the contributions of the non-oil products to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in order to diversify the source of our national income underscore the importance of this interactive forum.
“If potential exporters must effectively take advantage of the opportunities in the international market, they must be well mentored to acquire basic knowledge needed to withstand the challenges associated with international trade,” he explained.
In his paper entitled: Being Export Ready –What You Need To Know, Mr Joe Ita said for anyone to embark on export, he must know the opportunities available, the products that are exportable and those that are prohibited while setting clear and achievable objectives.
In the 3rd paper entitled Export Procedures and Documentation, Kobo Evelyn, advised the intending exporters to follow every export procedure and give attention to every detail, while ensuring that proper documentation is done to avoid hitches.
