| The Akwa Ibom Government has pledged to partner the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in making diversification to a non-oil export, a significant index in the Nigerian economy.
The Commissioner for Trade and Industries, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, who stated this Thursday when the officials of NEPC led by Mrs Pauline Ndulaka, the Deputy Director/Trade Promotion Adviser, visited him at the State Ministry of Trade and Industries Headquarters, Uyo, also harped on the need to assist in promoting export activities in the state. Akpabio who greatly acknowledged the unique contribution of exports to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its role in the state’s industrialisation agenda, assured them of the ministry’s co-operation, stressing the need to enhance exports development as a booster to the state industrialisation initiative. The Trade and Industries boss, who saw the industrialisation drive of Governor Udom Emmanuel as a major feat to diversify the state economy and stimulate export business, urged the council to recommend the existing industries in Akwa Ibom as potential exporters to the global market and competitiveness as a way of realising the industrialisation dream of the present administration. Responding to the NEPC’s actualization of its mandate of ‘One State One Product'(OSOP) Initiative, Akpabio announced that the state Government has approved and keyed into ONE LGA – ONE PRODUCT CAMPAIGN and identified the initiative as a mechanism to encourage 31 local government areas of the state to promote local industry, enterprise and indigenous innovations. According to him, there is no doubt that Akwa Ibom is not only blessed with abundant resources but also serves as an investment destination for teeming investors, enjoining officials of NEPC to pay unscheduled visits to the industries during their working visit so that they can speak for the state. Earlier, Mrs. Ndulaka, the team leader had intimated the Commissioner on the federal government intention to promote Trade and Investment in Nigeria and the need to synergize with his ministry to realize the diversification of the economy through export of non-oil product. Mrs Ndulaka stated that Nigerian Export Promotion Council was established to promote non-oil exports and to make it relevant to the nation’s economy, describing Akwa Ibom as one of the states with major export-related industries in Nigeria that can boast potential exporters. The Council’s Trade Promotion Adviser, who was accompanied by the Director General/CEO of Association of Nigerian Exporters, Obong Joseph Idiong and Principal Trade Officer, Joannah Idiong, applauded the State Governor for his industrialisation ingenuity and for setting the pace for industrial development in Nigeria. The visit featured presentation of the Work Plan for the Development of One Local Government, One Product to the Honourable Commissioner. In attendance were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industries, Mr Oliver Udoukpo; Director of Industry, Mr Michael Essien Ibanga and the Director of Commerce, represented by Mrs Iniobong Ntuk. |
