By Victor Nwachukwu

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has underscored the importance of forming product and area-based clusters to boost the development of the export sector.

NEPC’s Executive Director, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, said this at a seminar on non-oil export development held in Owerri.Ayeni spoke on the theme, “Cluster Development for Non-Oil Export Growth in Imo State”.

She was represented by the NEPC Coordinator in Imo, Mr Anthony Ajuruchi.

The executive director highlighted the need for exporters to organise themselves into clusters.

She said that operating in clusters would enhance the export business by enabling better negotiation with potential buyers, not as individuals but as a collective.

According to Ayeni, clusters help diversify market offerings while allowing exporters to specialise in specific products, thereby strengthening the commodity value chain.

“This programme has brought together key players in the export sector of Imo,” she said.

“With dedicated clusters under the state’s One State One Product initiative, products such as oil palm, pineapple, cashew, and cassava can thrive more competitively in the export market.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar had over 40 participants, including representatives from the Imo Ministries of Commerce, Trade, and Industry.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Imo Chapter of the National Palm Produce Association and the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN).  (NAN)(www.manners.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa