By Vivian Emoni

The Organisation of Youth in International Trade and Commerce (OY-ITC) says it is equipping Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills to meet international standards.

Dr Chinedu Amadi, President of the organisation. said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Amadi said that the initiative was aimed at boosting the capacity of SMEs to participate in international trade by providing various digital trainings to improve their knowledge.

“The essence is to equip SMEs with the knowledge and skills to navigate online marketplaces and manage the complexities of international supply chains.

“The effort will provide guidance on export regulations and procedures to ensure that SMEs are well-prepared for both national and international trade.

“By empowering SMEs with the necessary skills and knowledge, the NGO contributes to their ability to compete in the global market,” he said.

Amadi said that the OY-ITC’s work focusing on youth and women in trade aligned with broader initiatives of the International Trade Centre (ITC), like the Youth and Trade, and SheTrades programmes.

He said that the initiative was aimed to empower the group through global market access and capacity building.

“These initiatives are designed to reinforce each other, creating a synergistic effect in promoting inclusive and sustainable trade,” he said.

He said that the SheTrades initiative was aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs by connecting them to markets and facilitating their participation in international trade.

According to him, the initiative will achieve the participation by providing women with necessary knowledge, resources, and networks while working with governments and private sector to create a more inclusive trade ecosystem.

He said that the organisation aligned with national initiatives such as “BuyNaija”, aiming to boost Nigeria’s export diversification.

Amadi said that the mission of the “BuyNaija’’ was to promote Nigerians products, foster economic growth and create a platform that encouraged entrepreneurship.

He said that the organisation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and its BuyNaija Project, had encouraged manufacturers to shift toward export-oriented production.

NAN reports that the OY-ITC and BuyNaija alliance is a strategic public and private collaboration that empowers youth entrepreneurs to participate in global trade platforms. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman