“We are being denied market access into a lot of countries because of the quality of the products. And this is costing us huge resources.”
The federal government has lamented the rejection of Nigerian products at the international market as result of their quality.
The concern was raised by Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama at a meeting with the Executive Director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo, in Abuja.
Mr Onyeama said Nigeria was being denied access to market in some countries due to the quality of product, adding that the NEPC has more work to do.
“In engaging with a number of countries, we have seen that, especially in the agriculture sector, the phytosanitary aspect is very important,” Mr Onyeama said.
“We are being denied market access into a lot of countries because of the quality of the products.
And this is costing us huge resources.
So I think that your agency (NEPC) also has a lot of work to do.”
Mr Onyeama further said Nigeria has the advantage to be physically present in over 100 countries and could leverage on on that to promote trade
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a comparative and unique advantage to be physically present in over a 100 countries in the world,” he said.
“Now this represents truly a unique opportunity to leverage on that presence to export and trade our goods.”
