To boost the export capabilities of micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Lagos State government has partnered strategically with Africa Import & Export Solutions Limited and Export and Sell USA.
The collaboration aims to empower MSMEs with the knowledge and skills needed to process and export their products to the United States of America (USA).
The training initiative, named “Export to Wealth,” covers various aspects of the export process, including warehousing, dispatching, export licensing, profitability software utilization, finding buyers, listing and management on Amazon, opening bank accounts, and filing trademarks.
The comprehensive training program seeks to equip MSMEs with the necessary tools and insights to navigate the complexities of international trade successfully.
Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment in Lagos State, said the government is committed to fostering local production capacity and encouraging exporters to leverage emerging opportunities, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The state government is ready to play a strategic role to encourage trade and investments to combat poverty and unemployment, and it has tasked the state working group on AfCFTA to deploy innovative strategies to identify MSMEs with various trade and investment opportunities that can be supported for product export in the state,” she said.
The commissioner emphasized the importance of intentional efforts to develop the country’s agro and mineral-based commodities, focusing on their value chain potential.
She noted that MSMEs play a critical role in economic development and stated the government’s commitment to supporting their growth and international market penetration.
On his part, Nduka Udeh, Chairman of Export & Sell, expressed the necessity of the training in empowering participants with the information needed to overcome barriers associated with exporting local products.
Udeh noted the importance of preparing products for export to prevent rejections, emphasizing the role of collaboration with the Lagos State government in deepening knowledge among MSMEs.
Also speaking, Bisola Esan, CEO of Africa Import & Export Solutions Limited, explained that the two-day event provided an opportunity for businesses to learn how to take their products global and earn foreign exchange.
”The collaborative effort between the government and private sector entities aims to create an enabling environment for MSMEs to thrive in international trade,” Esan said.