Fidelity Bank Holds Export Management Programme Sept 25

September 13, 2017
Fidelity Bank

By Dipo Olowookere

One of the financial institutions in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc, has fixed Monday, September 25 to Friday, September 29, 2017 for the fifth stream of its Export Management Programme (EMP).

A statement issued by the lender said “EMP 5 comes heavily loaded as it is coinciding with the first anniversary of the EMP initiative which has uniquely positioned it to have woven around it, a number of the key activities already slated for the commemoration of this first anniversary of the programme.”

It further stated that the EMP 5 will, in addition to its usual focus areas, also seek to shed significant light on key policies/programmes recently released by government to boost non-oil exports and in particular, how intending exporters can take advantage of them.

Some of these recent policies include the Investors and Exporters FX Window announced by the CBN a few months back which allows exporters to sell their FX proceeds at market rates as opposed to the official CBN rate; the requirement for shippers to ensure that bills of lading in respect of exports from Nigeria carry the Form NXP number of the underlying cargo to ensure that all exports from Nigeria are carried out through the formal channels, etc.

The reputation of the EMP as the must-attend, focused capacity building programme for aspiring and existing exporters in the Nigerian market has continued to be attested to by testimonials from participants of previous streams of the programme.

For example, Fidel Buchi Anyi, an EMP 4 participant said, “This is the direction banking in Nigeria should go-Giving before asking! Strategically helping small businesses before requesting for accounts.”

It was gathered that the programme will mark its first anniversary, having been launched in 2016 as a sector focused capacity building event.

It is run by Fidelity Bank in partnership with the Pan-Atlantic University and the Nigerian Export Promotions Council (NEPC), to deliver impactful, world-class export management education to aspiring and existing players in the non-oil export sector of the Nigerian economy.

The programme which prepares participants for effective play in the international non-oil export markets in particular and the larger export markets in general, has continued to raise the bar of capacity building in exports in Nigeria.

Its unique curriculum is structured to take participants through courses bordering strategically on product development for export; developing linkages with customers in importing countries; understanding the various export processes, accompanying documentation and other requirements in Nigeria and key importing countries; export products storage; quality assurance, branding and packaging, sourcing and supply chain management, logistics and shipping, export finance, business ethics, etc.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, who gave valuable insights into the rationale behind establishing the EMP, stated that the financial institution remains highly committed to aiding the diversification of Nigeria’s monolithic economy particularly through import substitution and export promotion.

“We finance a lot of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. A number of these MSMEs have strong export potentials.

“It was therefore a natural fit for us to partner with the Lagos Business School (LBS) and the Nigerian Export Promotions Council (NEPC) to make this happen given in particular, recent developments in the global oil markets and the impact they have had on the Nigerian economy,” he said.

In addition, Mr Okonkwo emphasized the need to boost non-oil exports and build sustainable non-oil exports capability which he affirmed is now at the heart of the country’s diversification strategy.

He explained that, “Exporting not only improves foreign exchange (FX) earnings, but countries most successful in exports have stronger links to wealth creation, employment generation and sustainable poverty reduction.”

Dipo Olowookere

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan.

Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Leave a Reply

bitcoin nigerians
Previous Story

5 Things Nigerians Must Consider Before Investing in Bitcoin

22 More Millionaires Emerge in Diamond Xtraordinary Promo
Next Story

22 More Millionaires Emerge in Diamond Xtraordinary Promo

Latest from Banking

Don't Miss