By Martha Agas
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it has trained 90 women entrepreneurs in Plateau on how to improve their business in the non-oil sector for export.
NEPC announced this at a capacity building workshop for women entrepreneurs with theme: “Promoting Women Export Inclusiveness in Plateau’’ on Thursday in Jos.
Speaking at the event, the Regional Coordinator of NEPC, Mr Samson Idowu, said that the event was organised to promote women-led businesses in the state.
The coordinator added that the event would address the barriers they confront to access global economic opportunities.
He said that the event would provide a road map for overcoming the challenges through providing access to market information, resources, network opportunities and guidelines to build a sustainable business, among others.
He said that NEPC, in its efforts to promote the non-oil sector, had established export trade houses, domestic warehouses; youth export development programme and women in export campaign initiative.
“Our survival as a nation depends on the non-oil sector. I urge you all to join the Export4Survival campaign initiative of the council with a view of building a virile economy driven by the non-oil sector,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Dr Ruel Dakung, the Deputy Director for Intellectual Property University of Jos, said that women entrepreneurs were creative problem solvers to challenges in the society.
Dakung in his paper presentation entitled: “The Role of Women Entrepreneurs in the development of the Non-oil sector’’ said that women play critical role in job creation in the society.
“Women entrepreneurship role can create jobs and opportunities for others in their communities, especially for other women, who may face discrimination in the job market,’’ he said.
He explained that the role could have a positive impact on the local economy and help to reduce poverty.
Dakung added that innovation was crucial for the women entrepreneurs to remain relevant in business and get profits for their products, adding that they play significant role in challenging gender stereotypes.
He explained that the action could help in addressing barriers and prejudices in society against women, which can encourage more women in the sector.
He also urged the women to leverage their care giving skills to make good entrepreneurial development.
Also speaking, the Manager of Pye-ryat Foods International Ltd., Mrs Lyop Pam, said that women had challenges in balancing business and family life.
Pam said this while presenting paper entitled: “Challenges and Prospects of Women in Export in a Competitive Economy” at the event.
She said that women entrepreneurs experience difficulties in accessing capital to expand their businesses and have inadequate marketing skills and packaging and labelling challenges.
She added that other challenges of women entrepreneurs also include poor infrastructure, insecurity, inadequate government support biases in regulatory environment and gender discrimination.
She said that women inclusiveness could help in advancing sustainable development and urged women to take advantage of organisations that provide business opportunities and fund for entrepreneurs.
She called for more conducive environment for women participation in business particularly on gender equity, adding that women should participate in trade unions to champion their cause.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, the Chief Executive Officer of PIC Organics, Mrs Chomy Adeyemi, thanked NEPC for the workshop, saying that they would practice what they have learnt to improve their businesses.
Other presentations were made on certification of Nigerian products for Export by NAFDAC and financial options available for women in export trade by Bank of Industry and other commercial banks.(NAN)
