NEPC Trains Exporters On Snail Production, Packaging For Export

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has trained exporters in Imo on snail farming, processing and packaging for exportation. The one-day training took place in Owerri on Friday. Speaking at the workshop, Executive Director of the NEPC, Dr Ezra Yakusak, said that the training was one of many efforts by the Council to reduce dependency on oil and gas, while simultaneously growing the nation’s economy. Speaking on the theme “Producing Snail for Export,“ Yakusak who was represented by the NEPC Coordinator in Imo, Mr Anthony Ajuruchi, said that snail farming had proven to have the potential to feed the nation. He said that with a total global estimate of about $2.1 billion, snail farming, if given necessary attention, could grow Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) especially with the prevailing local conditions that support the development of the practice such as suitable climate and availability of green vegetation. “We’re raising the capacity of entrepreneurs to equip them to join the global snail market and compete meaningfully so as to grow Nigeria’s GDP using non oil exports. “We are also looking forward to organising the Imo Exporters Summit and plans are already in top gear. “Entrepreneurs in Imo and Nigeria are making frantic efforts in the export industry and we will keep offering our support and mentorship to keep them at par with their counterparts in other parts of the world,” he said. Also speaking, one of the resource persons, Miss Chinonso Onwukwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Suncious Farms Limited, said that modern technology had been developed to overcome the natural wetness of snails and be able to preserve them over long periods. “With oven drying, snails can be preserved for some six months to one year. Snail farming is not capital intensive yet it is lucrative. “It can be consumed by all especially as it is a healthy food with high protein and calcium contents. Everything in a snail including the shell is nutritious and lucrative. “We market our products in the US, UK and other places and there is nothing to regret about snail farming. It’s not time consuming yet it’s super lucrative, I can confirm,” she said. According to another resource person, Mr Joseph Ozor, said that though the natural habitat of snails has been threatened by urbanisation, there are still substitute methods of snail farming which produce desired results. Ozor, a Biologist, urged participants at the workshop to venture into large scale snail production for commercial purposes and to take advantage of mentorship opportunities in the field.

Nigeria eyes $5bn from outsourcing industry in 2024

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has said Nigeria targets to earn $5 billion dollars from the outsourcing industry in 2024. NEPC’s Executive Director, Dr Ezra Yakusak said this at the National Conference on International Trade-in-Service organised by the council on Wednesday in Abuja. According to Yakusak, the outsourcing industry has the capacity to boost human capital, drive the economy and bring about emerging technologies. He said that some of the services outsourced are financial, advertising, courier, customer support services, logistics, etc. “In recent years, Nigeria has become an increasingly attractive destination for outsourcing, particularly in areas of call center operations, software development, and back office support. “The country’s high population and relatively low labour cost, favourable time zone, and English proficiency make it an appealing location for business seekers to outsource certain tasks or functions,’’ he said. According to him, Nigeria is moving gradually and focusing more on the export of services because it is an area that has been neglected for a long time. He said it was a sector where we could get high revenue exchange earnings. “It has so much potential but if our services sector is well harnessed we can earn more than the 4 .8 billion dollars we are earning from our products. “We are looking at five billion dollars in 2024,’’ he said. Yakusak said trade in services had emerged as the driving force that shapes the global economic landscape of countries. “In essence, the future of global trade is services,’’ he said. Also speaking, Dr. Evelyn Ngige, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments, said that outsourcing, particularly in the field of information technology-enabled services revolutionised the global business landscape. Represented by Mr. Suleiman Audu, Director of Trade in the ministry, Ngige said that the sector transcended geographical boundaries and enabled organisations to leverage expertise. She added that it reduced costs and improved efficiency by tapping into talent pools around the world. “Nigeria, with its immense human capital, has the inherent potential to become a leading player in this transformative industry. “The country boasts of a large pool of educated and skilled professionals, including an English-speaking workforce, which is advantageous for English-language outsourcing services. “Nigeria has seen growth in areas such as call centers, data entry, software development, and content moderation,’’ Ngige said. She said that to harness opportunities presented by outsourcing and ITES, Nigeria must adopt a multi-faceted approach that encompasses several key areas. Ngige emphasised that it was essential to create a competitive location and conducive business environment for the growth of the outsourcing industry. “This involves implementing policies that create a favorable business climate, ensuring ease of doing business, and providing a level playing field for both local and international players. “We must streamline bureaucratic processes, simplify regulatory frameworks, and offer attractive incentives to investors and businesses seeking to establish or expand their operations in Nigeria,” Ngige said.