On Sunday, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO), advised entrepreneurs to tap into the extensive opportunities in agro produce exportation, recognizing Nigeria’s substantial potential in this sector.
At an interactive session with aviation journalists in Lagos, Indranil Gupta, Group Managing Director (GMD)/Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO, urged more Nigerians to adopt exportation, aiming to shift away from the prevalent trend of import dependence.
Gupta noted a significant appetite for Nigerian agro-produce in African nations during a presentation, stressing the insufficient supplies as the reason for advocating increased Nigerian participation in export to fill the void.
Gupta suggested that Nigerians initiate their export endeavors by targeting African markets, subsequently expanding globally. The objective is to facilitate wealth creation and contribute to the growth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Gupta stressed the importance of citizens seizing opportunities both within and across continents, suggesting a starting point in the African market for their endeavors.
‘Nigeria can be the breadbasket of this continent. Producers must recognize the rich potential in both intercontinental and intracontinental trade,’ he said.
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He said NAHCO recently unveiled its export processing centre in Lagos to provide a one-stop shop to help farmers complete processes needed for export.
The GMD said the facility in Lagos was the first of five of such centres that would also be developed in Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, and Kano to boost Nigeria’s export policy.
Gupta stated that the establishment of these centers, catering to all geopolitical zones in Nigeria, would amplify the nation’s export drive and standardize the export processing system.
Gupta acknowledged Nigeria’s fertile land and substantial farming potential while emphasizing the importance of adopting strategies to add value to agricultural produce, thereby ensuring brand acceptability and enhancing the market value chain.
Gupta mentioned that NAHCO plays a crucial role as a platform linking farmers and middlemen to export markets, emphasizing Nigeria’s cargo dependency, which is almost 95 percent reliant on imports.
The GMD underscored that involvement in export activities offers a crucial opportunity for the nation to garner foreign exchange earnings.
Gupta expressed optimism that an improvement in the purchasing power of Nigerians would boost air passenger traffic in the nation, consequently positively influencing exportation.
He openly recognized that the economic downturn had an adverse effect on investments in Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
Gupta revealed that NAHCO has outlined plans to invest one billion Naira in cargo export, emphasizing a targeted approach across five major airports.
He also mentioned collaborative efforts with security agencies to address crime and criminal activities.