The Jigawa government, in collaboration with Comttraex Nigeria, a private organization, has established a fumigation chamber for hibiscus flowers at the Maigatari Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in the Maigatari local government area of the state.
This was disclosed by the Director-General of Jigawa Investment Promotion Agency (InvestJigawa) during a one-day seminar titled “Value Addition for Export,” organized for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. The director-general mentioned that this initiative is part of the effort to promote non-oil product export.
Under Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), the project is expected to commence operations in a few weeks. Hajiya Furera Jumare explained that establishing the fumigation chamber aims to boost the exportation of hibiscus flowers and address issues related to export rejection.
According to her, “The collaboration, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement, also aims to transform the hibiscus value chain in the state, making it a prominent hub for the production and processing of the commodity in Nigeria.”
The director-general noted that the partnership would establish a fumigation chamber, modern cleaning and processing facility for hibiscus flowers, sesame, and trade under the brand name “Comttraligawa.”
“This initiative is expected to unlock the industry’s full potential, driving economic growth and creating opportunities for local farmers and sustainable development in the region and boost the exportation of the product,” she said.
The director-general assured that the state government would support in various ways to ease the path to becoming a production state and a state dominant in processing raw materials for exportation.
During the seminar-themed “Value Addition for Export,” targeted at Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the director-general emphasized the importance of MSMEs in the country’s economy. She stressed that MSMEs are considered as investors and partners that should be supported to grow and thrive.
The director-general urged MSMEs to focus on adding value to the state’s raw materials, providing a competitive advantage and enabling them to command premium prices for their products. She emphasized leveraging the abundant resources in the state for maximum potential.
The seminar featured competent resource persons from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nigerian Shippers Council, Dala Inland Dry Port, Nigeria Customs Service, and the Window of Turkey, who presented on export processes. Participants commended the agency for organizing the seminar and engaging resource persons to educate them.
In their remarks, Mr. Danalmadi Haladu, the Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) in the state, and Malam Nuhu Hussaini, the Chairman of Dutse Union of Marketers, called for more sensitization for MSMEs in the area of exportation. They urged the agency to ensure that producers receive fair prices for their products.
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