The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) disclosed that some ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ products, especially Adire fabrics are recording low patronage in both local and foreign markets due to the inability of producers and government to get those products dully certified by SON, which it said had been hampering the confidence and trust that would-be buyers and consumers have as regards the consumption of such products.
Speaking exclusively with BusinessDay shortly after the maiden meeting held by Ogun State Council of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Daudu Edward, Head, Ogun State SON Office, lamented that quite a number of locally-made products had not been certified by the agency, and therefore considered sub-standards.
Edward said that non-standard and quality certification of some products in the country by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) was against the International standards practice and therefore negatively affecting sales and exports of African fabrics and other products.
He said, “it is a pity that some locally-made products are not NIS-certified and therefore considered sub-standards. It is surprising that the much-talk-about Adire fabrics does not have NIS-certification and nobody is looking into that direction. Adire fabrics will sell more in the market and will attract more export value if there is an effort towards it certification by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, as part of efforts ensuring favourable balance of trade and payment, is planning exports promotion for Adire fabrics and other Nigerian made textiles.
Bimbo Ashiru, the Ogun state commissioner for commerce and industry, while officiating the maiden meeting of Ogun State Council of MSMEs at Government Secretariat Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, disclosed that the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga had sent a delegation to the State to meet with Adire fabrics and other local textiles producers on the evolution and production of international standard Adire fabrics.
Ashiru however, assured that the export promotion for Adire fabrics, as proposed by the Federal Government would boost investment in the Adire fabrics production sub-sector of the Nigerian economy, improve the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), create wealth and generate employment and correct the country balance of trade and payment.
http://businessdayonline.com/2013/08/son-tasks-government-on-adire-fabrics-as-fg-plans-exports-promotion/
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