The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has announced that the NPA will partner with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and other relevant partners to link the export processing terminals (ETPs) with domestic export warehouses (DEWs).
Speaking on Sunday at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair, titled ‘Connecting businesses, creating value’, Dantsoho said that the move would facilitate port-hinterland connectivity and create pathways for small and medium-scale enterprises.
He explained that the agency is pursuing full automation of the port’s processes and procedures through the Ports Community System, which lays the groundwork for the implementation of the National Single Window.
Dantsoho reiterated that the move aligns with the ease of doing business orientation of the Federal Government.
“The ETPs would also ensure the facilitation of port-hinterland connectivity and create pathways for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises to play in the value chain, the EPTs are to be linked with DEWs in synergy with the NEPC and relevant partners.
“As some of us are aware in our bid to contribute to the strengthening of the domestic economy through the promotion of balance of trade we established the EPTs to simplify the hitherto burdensome process of exporting Nigerian goods,” he said
He explained that the move aligns with the ease of doing business orientation of the Nigerian government.
“The ETPs would also ensure the facilitation of port-hinterland connectivity and create pathways for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises to play in the value chain, the EPTs are to be linked with DEWs in synergy with the NEPC and relevant partners.
“As some of us are aware in our bid to contribute to the strengthening of the domestic economy through the promotion of balance of trade we established the EPTs to simplify the hitherto burdensome process of exporting Nigerian goods,” the report by Punch newspaper quoted Dantsoho as saying.
According to Dantsoho, the EPTs were conceptualised in partnership with the NEPC to serve as a one-stop-shop for the stuffing, packaging, and certification of export-bound cargo in quick turnaround time, “by eliminating the duplications and bureaucratic overlaps that previously rendered Nigerian exports uncompetitive in the international marketplace.”
He explains that the NSW is the global stratagem for delivering the greatest value with the greatest ease by connecting all stakeholders in the trade value chain for seamless interaction at the push of a button.
GIK/APA