SCL boss, Udeh calls for better use of AGOA export window to exit recession
The Managing Director of emerging leaders’ in general logistic industry, Simplified Corporate Logistics (SCL), Mr. Nduka Udeh has called on manufacturers and mainly agro-allied dealers to step up activities so as to gain more from the prevailing Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) of the United States of America.
Speaking in Lagos during conference orgainsed by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Udeh said much can be gained if agro allied and general product manufacturers on the line of listed AGOA products can be encouraged to up their deliveries.
He said the best bet to exit recession is to make use of AGOA window hence the Act is still functional, stressing that this is time for Nigerian businesses to move from the level of attracting investors to increasing exports for economic growth.
He also reiterated similar position during a press conference to mark the commencement of this year’s Manufacturing Partnership for African Development exhibition in Lagos.
Represented by company’s Head of Operations, Mrs. Bisola Esan at the press conference, he identified some factors that affect growth of businesses in Nigeria, especially small and medium businesses to include poor access to fund, tax issues and power.
SCL boss further pointed out that as much as importation and exportation were indispensable to Nigerian businesses, so was the need to pay a special attention to factors such as difficulty in sourcing dollars to buy raw materials, machinery and spare parts.
Explaining more in a paper titled, ‘Simplifying the import and export process’, Udeh identified other factors to include delay in clearing of goods at the air and seaports, unreliable shipping agents, and high overall procurement cost as key challenges of businesses.
Others include occasional difficulty in engaging trustworthy suppliers from different countries and limited knowledge of the importation and exportation business.
