The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has engaged businesswomen in Jigawa to promote export of Nigerian goods. 

Abdulkadir Aliyu, NPEC coordinating officer in the state, said this on Saturday during the inauguration of a two-day sensitisation exercise on export opportunities. 

He said the exercise was designed to create awareness among women entrepreneurs on international market access.

Mr Aliyu said the exercise would build the capacity of women business owners and equip them for business support services, trade networks, and financing opportunities.

“The aim is to encourage participation of women in the digital trade and value-added export sector.

“The exercise is a commitment toward empowering women, strengthening local economy and expanding the horizon of businesses owned and led by women in the state.

“Jigawa has been known for resilience, entrepreneurship and women have demonstrated extraordinary capacity in trade, agriculture and manufacturing, thus contributing significantly to Nigeria’s growth,” he said.

Mr Aliyu said the programme aligned with the state’s vision of promoting inclusive economic development, supporting MSMEs and women inclusion.

Hauwa Isa, a volunteer with ImpactHer, a development organisation, said the organisation was partnering with NEPC to equip women with digital marketing skills.

She said the organisation was supporting 30 women to digitalise their businesses to enable them to penetrate the global market.

“As part of our support, we are issuing a $500 grant to two participants who exhibit seriousness and willingness to boost their trades to the global scale,” she said.

Murkhtar Birniwa, president, Jigawa Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, lauded the gesture, adding it would boost the state economy.

He reiterated commitment to partner with stakeholders to boost the capacity of business women in the state. 

One of the participants, Hauwa Umar, commended the gesture, and pledged to cascade the knowledge learnt to other women businesses. 

(NAN)