Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria will soon export food crops to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This followed an agreement with Crenov8, a consultancy firm with food importers in the UAE. This will promote diversification of the country's economy through agriculture.
The development was the outcome of discussions by experts at a forum organized by Crenov8 Consulting to announce its agro-export gathering tagged, "Meet the Farmers Conference (MTFC)" in UAE, Dubai scheduled to span through 27 and 28 of November 2019.
It is expected that participants will discuss best practices for developing export plans for the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC).
The experts noted, exporting agricultural and food products to Dubai, requires an analysis of the requirements in the export markets, along with robust testing and certification procedures to ensure quality products to meet the best standard and specification.
According to the Project Supervisor, Crenov8 Consulting; Mr. Babatunde Adenuga, there is need to support the Federal Government’s efforts to accelerate development through agribusiness by strengthening the capacity of farmers to meet international standards for agro exports to the Middle East.
Adenuga moted that UAE has a strong international reputation for food safety, quality, and innovation and that it was critical to strengthen the capacity of farmers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to better understand and implement food safety systems based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), a systematic approach to food safety to prevent export rejection.
Stressing further, the Director, Poverty Alleviation Department, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Kehinde Ogunyinka stated that maximizing the international trade opportunities for the agri-food sector could be an engine for driving strong, sustainable growth in Nigeria's economy.
More so, Kehinde disclosed that the Lagos State Government was ready to encourage agri-food firms, particularly SMEs, to consider the benefits of exporting and building it into their business strategies.
Additionally, a Consultant to Crenov8, Bola Oyedele, the firm had entered into an agreement with some Dubai companies to export food exports to UAE.
According to her, farmers and food producers from Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya working with the organization have been able to export to the UAE. Nigerians, she explained, had not been able to explore this golden opportunity.
