By Dipo Olowookere
A partnership has been entered into between the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Sterling Bank Plc to enhance the export of agricultural produce in the country.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, the partnership is aimed to support the diversification of the Federal Government.
Mr Awolowo disclosed that his agency was “doing many things with the Sterling Bank” and expressed hopes that the financial institution “will prove to be the number one export bank in the country.”
Speaking at the launch of the ICT laboratory in Lagos recently, an Executive Director of Sterling Bank, Mr Kayode Lawal, noted that the partnership with NEPC will be sustained beyond the launch of the ICT laboratory.
He said the council had six regional offices across the country and it was its intention to have one smart office in each state of the federation in a bid to drive export businesses to realise the diversification programme of the federal government.
He said under the partnership with NEPC, Sterling Bank has powered the ICT laboratory of the South West Regional office of the council by providing 24-hour internet service for the staff and entrepreneurs exporting products outside the country.
Mr Lawal noted that agriculture and exports were closely related and that the bank was working aggressively to drive agricultural and export initiatives in the country because they would help to create employment for the teeming population of the country.
He said significant export of made in Nigeria goods was the only direction the country could take now because Nigeria is the largest economy as well as the largest crude oil exporter on the African continent, but was lagging behind in terms of export of other products.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Modupe Gbadeyanka