FG’s EXPORT EXPANSION FACILITY: OGSG TO MOBILISE SUPPORT FOR EXPORTERS

   Ahead of the release of guidelines for the Federal Government’s N50bn Export Expansion Facility to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on exporting businesses, Ogun State Government will mobilise and provide adequate support to all eligible exporters doing business in the State, for them to benefit from the grant.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe disclosed this in Abeokuta during a meeting of the State Committee on Export Promotion.

Mrs. Longe said that the Ministry was working with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and various Business Membership Organisations in the State, as well as increasing its volume of processed and exported products, charging the Council to complete the 2021 workplan for the State Committee on Export Promotion to deliberate upon and approve.

"We are already getting started with our preparations, while we expect the release of guidelines. We are working with the NEPC and we have been communicating with Business Membership Organisations (BMOs). We will mobilise and provide all necessary support to ensure exporters optimally benefit from the Export Expansion Facility", she said.

The Commissioner urged exporters who require more information on the stimulus package to contact the Ministry and the NEPC at Block B, State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry and Chairman of the Export Promotion State Committee, Mr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola charged all stakeholders to brace up at ensuring the State takes maximum advantage of the Export Expansion Facility.

Aikulola also underscored the need to fine-tune the workplan on the Facility to ensure that exporters in the State optimally benefit from the government’s intervention.

Speaking earlier, the Trade Promotion Advisor/Head, NEPC Abeokuta Smart Office, Mr. Samson Idowu assured of prompt implementation of the issues raised on the workplan, calling on the State government to intensify efforts on the Export Expansion Facility before the guidelines are issued, so as to enable the State optimally benefits from the Federal Government’s intervention.