Adamawa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a better environment for traders to package and export their products for higher profits.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industries, Hon. Dr. Ishaya John Dabari, during a town hall meeting at the Deputy Governor’s Conference Hall for traders from Yola North, Yola South, Fufore, and Girei local government areas.
The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), is part of an awareness campaign covering all 21 local government areas in Adamawa State. Dr. Dabari said the programme aligns with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s directive to sensitize traders on export procedures and improve the ease of doing business.
“We have visited the southern and northern zones, and this town hall meeting concludes our engagement with traders in the central zone. All of this is to raise awareness on the importance of proper export procedures and compliance,” the Commissioner said.
He explained that the state government has introduced reforms to eliminate trade barriers. These include the harmonization of taxes, the creation of special courts to resolve trade disputes, and the use of ICT in business transactions. According to him, these steps are aimed at making Adamawa more competitive in the national and international markets.
Dr. Dabari also raised concerns over the low usage of the ₦2 billion NEXIM Bank fund available for traders in the state.
He urged business owners to take advantage of the financial support to access international markets and increase foreign exchange earnings through exportation.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry and Chairperson of the State Committee on Export Promotion (SCEP), Mrs. Saso Benson Ali, said Adamawa has significant agricultural and industrial export potential but remains underrepresented in national export statistics.
She stressed the importance of following export standards, particularly in the use of agrochemicals, to avoid rejection of goods abroad.
“Certification and registration for export are affordable. We encourage traders to avoid practices that may hinder the acceptance of their goods abroad,” she stated.
Regional Coordinator of NEPC, Dr. Ben Anani, assured traders of the Council’s continued support through training, funding, and guidance on standardization and packaging requirements. “Our aim is to support indigenous businesses and manufacturers in reaching foreign markets. We are especially concerned about the low participation of women in export activities and are working to address this,” he said.
Chairman of Yola South LGA, Barr. Jibril Ibrahim Jimeta, commended the campaign, describing it as a timely intervention for economic growth. Chairman of the Gamzaki Traders Union in Yola South, Ali Kachalla, thanked Governor Fintiri for his support and promised to share the knowledge gained with other traders.
The meeting ended with an interactive session where traders asked questions about export packaging, certification processes, and funding access, reflecting growing interest in tapping into the state’s export opportunities.