Sudan, NEPC partner on trade promotion

TRADE promotion between Nigeria and the Republic of Sudan received a boost on Friday as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Sudan Embassy entered into a strategic partnership to boost the trade relationship between the two countries.

The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, David Adulugba, disclosed this in Abuja when the Ambassador of Sudan, Dr. Tagelsir Mahgoub Ali paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

With over three million Nigerians living in Sudan, Adulugba pointed out that there was a huge market for Nigerian products in Sudan, therefore, there is need for strategic partnership between both countries in the area of trade promotion with a view to stimulate export of Nigeria goods to Sudan.

He recalled that the council had spearheaded the participation of Nigeria in trade fairs and trade missions, among other exhibitions organised by Sudan, regretting however that since then, trading activities between both countries have been on the decline.

Mahgoub pledged to work with the council in providing the necessary assistance towards Nigeria’s participation at the forthcoming Sudan International Trade Fair scheduled for January 2013.

He was of the view that both countries can work together to promote trade and become an economic power bloc in Africa as they have huge potentials in almost all sectors of the economy particularly in terms of land mass and natural resources.

“Strategically, Sudan is a major gateway for Nigerian products to East Africa. Therefore, we expect the bi-national commission to be convened soon, to cement our economic ties,” he said.

Also, NEPC has partnered fabricators to boost agricultural development in Nigeria.

Adelugba explained that the collaboration would help to add value local production, especially in local food processing.

He said globalisation and technology have made value addition inevitable, adding that the country has not been able to export its huge agricultural produces because it had not been able to meet specific international requirements in terms of products quality, standards and packaging.

“There is no way we can add value without the necessary machines and equipment because value addition cannot be isolated from technology.   Subsequently, the exhibition seeks to provide avenues to encourage,” he added.
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