For developing countries such as Nigeria to accelerate economic growth, there needs to be greater private sector participation in the export sector.
The Divisional Head, Export and Agriculture of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Isaiah Ndukwe, stated this at the just-concluded 11th edition of the Fidelity Bank Export Management programme held in Lagos.
The programme covered a wide range of topics including export documentation and application of export development processes and was facilitated by leading faculty from Lagos Business School, staff of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and experts in financial management and exports.
Managing Director of the bank, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said: “Year-in, year-out, Fidelity Bank has demonstrated its resolve to help diversify the Nigerian economy and increase export earnings. One of the ways we are doing this is through the Export Management Programme which provides participants with the knowledge needed to navigate both the international non-oil export market and the larger export market.”
The importance of exports, she said, has continually been emphasised by various bodies as it provides a means of increasing the markets for producers and especially in Nigeria’s case, an opportunity to attract much needed foreign exchange earnings.