The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has advised importers to add value to their products by properly packaging and labeling them saying they are crucial components of product adaptation.
Executive Director of the NEPC, Mr Ezra Yakusak gave the advice in Owerri on Thursday during training for importers on packaging and labeling.
Speaking on the theme: “Good Product Packaging; Panacea for Sustainable Export Market Penetration”, Yakusak said that packaging occupies a premium position in export logistics and market penetration dynamics.
The NEPC helmsman, represented by the Council’s Trade Promotion Advisor in Imo, Mr Anthony Ajuruchi, said products should be packaged and labeled in a manner that they would appeal to the international market.
“An in-depth look at the products manufactured here in Imo indicates that while they are good, many have certifications from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, some gaps still exist that need to be filled.
“That was the compelling need for the Council to organise this packaging and labelling clinic.
“It is intended to serve as a forum to diagnose existing deficiencies in our current packaging and proffer solutions that will enable us have better packaging for export,’’ he said.
He called on participants at the clinic to utilise the training and experiences from the resource persons to achieve better packaging for improved marketability of export products in the state.
Also speaking, Prof. Clifford Owuamanam, of the Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, urged exporters to embrace modern packaging methods to stay relevant.
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According to him, customers usually meet the products before meeting the producers hence the need for attractive packaging and labeling.
Mr Emmanuel Ube who exports honey and other bee products called on government to check deforestation, which was limiting productivity in his sub-sector.
Also, Mrs Amaka Obiloma, the Chief Executive Officer of Green Health Care Services, who exports herbal tea and food spices called for improved electric power supply to help decrease cost of production.
Another exporter, Mr Uche Chilaka, who exports cashew nuts, called for increased funding from Federal Government to help exporters buy more equipment, expand their businesses to meet with market demands.
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