The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Koinonia Ventures Limited, Mr. Olufemi Boyede, says the Federal Government’s quest to diversify the economy can be achieved if government creates the enabling environment.
He said this in Lagos at a press conference announcing a one-day workshop on non-oil export scheduled for next week.
Boyede, who has over three decades of experience in the non-oil export industry, said it was high time the nation began to explore the over 5000 exportable products in the country.
He said, “The 5000 products I am talking about is not my invention. It is the result of a research carried out by Nigeria Export Promotion Council about 10 years ago.”
He said the council recently, under its new ‘Zero Oil Plan’, had enumerated 21 products that could replace oil as Nigeria’s leading revenue.
Boyede, who is also the President, Koinonia Global Services Incorporated Canada, said Nigeria should be looking at its processed fruits and vegetables, entertainment industry, the handicraft sector and the manufactured products for the market in the Economic Community of West African States.
He also noted that the solid mineral sector, if given the needed attention, could solely replace oil as Nigeria’s foreign exchange earner, adding that the service industry in Nigeria was also a huge potential for the global market if adequately explored.
On the non-oil export workshop, he said, “Our aim is to develop Nigeria export industry by helping to prepare desiring entrepreneurs with the requisite knowledge of exporting.
“We at KVL see exporting from three sides: the supply side, the finance side, and the market side. The March workshop will address all these sides and deliver to participants all they need to know about exporting.”
He said the workshop would have in attendance one of the world’s top consultants on quality issues, Prof. Ken Ife, coming to deliver a hands-on guide on international trade compliance issues.
Boyede said the office of the trade representative of the European Union would be represented at the workshop, alongside stakeholders.
-punchng