To get MSMEs actively involved on the exporters’ value chain, ‘before the border’ and ‘beyond the border’ issues must be addressed and resolved. Currently, there have been threats to reaching inclusive solutions as most MSME voices are either underrepresented or hijacked by a few. In this regard, PDF II steps in with its balanced approach focused on the building blocks of long-term trade policy by strengthening alternative (or under-represented) voices that can feed into the policy process. It is in this regard that PDF II held a two-day capacity building training themed: “Capacity Building for Banks and DFIs”. This is designed to explore access to finance challenges, awareness campaigns and opportunities that non-oil exporters face with banks in accessing finance. The capacity building covered topics such as Export Industry Regulations and Documentations, payment methods and trade finance instruments, Handling export finance options, managing export risks, understanding the franchising potential etc.
Capacity Building for Banks and DFIs
File type: PDF
Number of pages: 236
File size: 18MB
Associated resources
Against a backdrop of falling oil prices, the Nigerian government has woken up to its economic vulnerability to oil-related disruptions. This underscores the need for diversification to non-oil exports. PDF Bridge supported the drive towards growing non-oil export by supporting under-represented non-oil exporters through three strands of work: strengthening Nigeria’s ability to trade beyond its borders through the Network of Practicing Non-Oil Exporters of Nigeria (NPNEN), an export mentorship programme, which links experienced exporters with new and growing export businesses; and training sessions for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) intending to export non-oil goods were held on; Market Entry Strategies, Understanding export documentation, Raising Finance for Export, Branding, and packaging for export. In addition, Roundtables were held on;
- Addressing Barriers to Access to Foreign Markets – An analysis of Spices & Herbs, Textiles & Garments, and Leather Products;
- Analysis and Impact of Export Expansion Grant on Export Potential, Market Access and Export Competitiveness in Nigeria;
- Improving Market Access through Digital Trade and;
- Analysis of Potentials of Nigeria’s Services Sector for Economic Diversification, Employment and Foreign Trade;
- Diversification and Non-oil Export Opportunities for Nigeria States Post-COVID19 Study
Trade Associations play a role in promoting appropriate policies, regulations, and necessary reforms relating to their sector of operations. They create opportunities for networking and consultations among industry players as well as being a voice when it comes to new regulations and legislations while encouraging best practices among its members. According to Peter Gomersall[1], trade associations exist to support their members and further their interests, to defend them when they are under threats and to promote a common position on issues affecting the environment in which they operate.
Given the foregoing, the PDF Bridge Trade Policy Workstream organised a two-day capacity-building session targeted at strengthening the leadership of non-oil export-related trade associations and improve on their business strategy to position them to take advantage of the opportunities in the non-oil export value chain. The sessions had in attendance delegates from government agencies such as FMITI, NAQS, FMARD, NOTN, CBN as well as executives of trade group drawn from various industries including agricultural commodities farmers, agricultural commodities exchange and aggregators, industrialists, agro-processors, women, and youth development groups, textile and apparel among other participants.
[1] https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEDS/article/download/7852/8030
With the global COVID-19 pandemic came the need for local manufacturers to step up to the challenge and produce face masks, face shields, and PPEs due to dwindling supplies caused by high demand the world over. The support provided by government agencies to these entrepreneurs was critical, this in turn was derived from the technical advice supplied by the PDF Bridge programme under the Trade Policy Workstream through dialogues, studies, and roundtable events. The workstream focuses on non-oil exports by bringing underrepresented voices into economic policy and strengthening the participation of exporter groups in trade. The workstream engaged with representatives of Abia State Government during its dialogues particularly with the Director-General of the Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency (ASMQMA). This engagement led to increased capacity and redirection of strategy for the Aba Textile cluster in the production and distribution of finished goods. With help from the State Government’s agency on quality and standardization, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency (ASMQMA), tailors generated an estimated $4-5million for the Nigerian economy from Abia State alone from the production of PPEs. This created a 110% increase in tailoring personnel.
This dialogue explores the alternative ways to provide market access to the southeast business hubs from Aba through Onitsha. COVID19 has caused businesses to reimagine their trade value-chain working actively to diversify roles. This dialogue explores ways that new technologies can help bridge the gap between buyers, sellers, and manufacturers.
This study focuses on the determination of the impact of Nigeria’s textiles import restriction. Specifically, the study describes the structure of the global and Nigeria’s textile industries as well as the global value chain, and the policy environment surrounding the industry in a global and national perspective. It was conducted in 2013 with support from FCDO (formerly DFID).
