The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) Plc says it has keyed into the $1 billion economy by encouraging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to grow and participate actively in exports.
The company disclosed this in a statement by its spokesman, Tayo Ajakaye, who said the Group Executive Director, Business Development, NAHCO, Saheed Lasisi, spoke at a capacity building forum on export processing for SMEs held in Lagos during the week.
Lasisi said NAHCO was committed to supporting the Federal Government’s drive to achieve a $1 billion economy within the targeted period.
“A major focus of the government in achieving this goal is commodity exports. And to record the needed volume in commodity exports, the nation needs the SMEs,” he said.
According to him, the ground handling company recognises the contribution of SMEs to national development and is charting the way forward to prepare them for foreign markets.
He noted that many SMEs still need to build capacity in export processing, stressing that exporting agro products and other commodities requires a strong logistics and handling backbone to meet standards.
Lasisi said NAHCO sits at the centre of the export value chain, serving as a link between exporters, airlines and regulators.
In this role, he explained that NAHCO would offer guidance on cargo handling, including product preservation quality, regulatory compliance, on-time flight connections, and meeting acceptance requirements set by buyers.
He also highlighted the need for specialised packaging for perishable and sensitive export items to reduce losses and improve market acceptance.
Lasisi said NAHCO, with the approval of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has provided a packaging facility within the airport environment.
“Our packaging area is in the NAHCO Export Packaging and Processing Centre (NEPPC), the only one of its kind in Nigeria, and we started operations in July last year. NAHCO also has an export desk that provides support for exporters,” he said.
