NEPC, JETRO To Promote Nigerian Foods In Asian Markets

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is partnering with Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to promote Nigerian foods and beverages in Asian markets.
This was disclosed in Lagos at a seminar for exporters to participate in the forthcoming 43rd International Food and Beverage Exhibition (FOODEX).
The Tide source reports that FOODEX is scheduled to hold in March 2018 at Chiba City, Japan.
The Executive Director of NEPC, Mr Olusegun Awolowo,  said that FOODEX had been the longest trade show in Asian Pacific region and offered huge opportunities for producers targeting the Asian market.
“This is an opportunity for MSMEs in Nigeria to showcase their products during the March 2018 exhibition in Japan.
“This event would not only chart the way forward for our exporters, SMEs and manufacturers of items, but also provide an insight into the demand structure of the Japanese market with a view to assessing the market for Nigerian food products,” he said.
The NEPC boss said that food and beverages to be exhibited at FOODEX would be subject to screening test by JETRO headquarters to confirm their eligibility for entry into Japanese market.
Awolowo, who was represented by Mr Samuel Oyeyipo, the Deputy Director (Product Development) of the council, said that products allowed would be beverages, confectionery, seasoning, cooking oil and spices.
Others are processed  fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, grains and seafood.
The Deputy Trade Commissioner in JETRO, Mr Chiharu Yamamura, said that the FOODEX was a platform of the Japanese government to support the growth of the Nigerian economy.
“Nigerian Federal Government is putting in a huge effort to promote the agricultural sector as can be seen in `Agricultural Promotion Policy’, which was published last year.
“We would also like to contribute to the policy and I think this is one of the opportunities to contribute,” he said.
Yamamura said that Japan was ready for entry of more food and beverage products from Nigeria, adding that Nigeria had been the biggest supplier of sesame seed to Japan.