Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has formally launched the Aba Export Growth Lab, a business initiative of the State Government towards enhancing the ability of eligible businesses to meet International Export standards, develop brand awareness and global competitiveness for locally produced goods.
Speaking while launching the Aba Export growth lab located at the premises of the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba, Governor Otti said that the initiative will among other things strengthen local businesses skills in export Strategy, product quality assurance and compliance to unlock the state’s economic potential and drive job Creation.
The Governor while also noting that the initiative will lead to improved product packaging, strategic positioning in regional and global markets, thanked the UNDP team for considering Abia for the development partnership as his administration is truly in a hurry to make Abia products dominate the sub-Saharan Markets.
While blaming greater percentage of Nigeria’s economic woes on over-dependence on importation, Governor Alex Otti said statistics has it that Nigeria spends over 2 billion US Dollars on food importation alone.
He said what indigenous products only required is the necessary standardization to meeting International standards, pointing out that it is the role the Aba Export Growth Lab has come to play, urging managers of the Lab to ensure that all products leaving the Lab passes the approved standard.
In her remarks, the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Elsie Attafuah, said that the formal launch of the Aba Export Growth Lab marks the activation of a bold blueprint for sustainable trade and Industrial transformation,adding that with the bold step Aba can lead Africa’s Industrial renaissance.
She noted that with the development the south east can rise as a regional corridor of productivity, investments and jobs and saluted Governor Otti’s clarity of vision and courageous leadership which is turning Abia into an Export-led city and smart industrialization .
In a goodwill message, the Representative of NEXIM Bank, Mrs Nkeiru Ezenwanne, expressed the their full support to the administration of Governor Alex Otti towards catalyzing growth and creating sustainable jobs by focusing on key Value chain such as agro-processing, manufacturing, garment, leather and pharmaceuticals.
She said that the Bank is committed to supporting initiatives that will drive export diversification and economic growth in line with its mandate to facilitate the diversification of Nigerian foreign exchange rate through export finance provision of Credit guarantee and Export insurance, fund Management and export advisory services to exporters.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Industry and SME, Mazi Mike Akpara, said the Aba Export Growth Lab is established to create a pathway for Aba businesses as 20 businesses are being targeted as pilot businesses, with focus on
3 areas including, Akwete cloth, footwear and fashion and apparel.
The event equally featured presentation from the Chief Executive of Transaharan Consulting, Mr Francis Anatogu and inspection of products exhibition by Governor Alex Otti, UNDP Representatives and top government functioneries.
