By Patricia Amogu

The Organisation of Youths in International Trade and Commerce (OY-ITC) says the upcoming AfroAgricExpo in Houston, Texas will enhance the market value of Nigeria’s Agri-products.

The organisation also said that the trade and exhibition that will hold from Dec. 12 to 16, will foster stronger bi-lateral relationships among partner countries.

The President of the organisation, Mr. Chinedu Amadi disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja, organised ahead of the trade and exhibition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EXPO is being organised by OY-ITC in partnership with the Federation of Agricultural Commodities Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Sao Tome Investment Forum, and other relevant stakeholders.

Amadi described the non-oil export sector as a very promising one with many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) taking advantage of the inherent abundant opportunities.

According to him, such SMEs have at their disposal the opportunity offered by the trade and exhibition in Houston to showcase their market value on the international scene.

“After the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), a lot of entrepreneurs have gradually moved to the non-oil export sector, thus adding value to their products and also upgrading their products to world standards as well as boosting the Nigerian economy in the process.

“As more agri-business owners are able to add value to their products, they will be exposed to the international market which will keep their products either ahead or at par with others in the international market space.

“This means higher earnings for them and a boost for the Nigerian economy,” he added.

According to him, it is also a means of improving their revenue, making them self-sufficient, and lowering the rate at which the best brains leave the fatherland in search of greener pastures abroad.

“An economy like the one in Houston, a big community, where nearly half of Nigerians living in the U.S. reside, is an area that should be excellent for business once your products are accepted by the population,” he said.

Also speaking, the Vice President of OY-ITC, Hajia Nafisat Nasir El-Ladan, apologised on behalf of the organisers to participants who registered for the 2022 trade and exhibition in Houston but were unable to attend.

She told journalists that the implementation committee for this year’s event in Houston has begun reaching out to registered participants by providing all necessary assistance and support.

“We are now using this medium to notify all previously registered participants that trade shows and exhibitions are annual events and that preparation is in top gear with our partners.

“Participants who may have registered through third-party organisations should contact us
directly so that they can be added to our communication database.

“Please be informed that all registered participants who will be travelling for the event will be required to come back with the organisation at the end of the trade show,” she said.

El-Ladan said that the event would further highlight the advancement made by Nigerian
entrepreneurs in the preparation of goods and services to meet international standards.

In his speech, Mr Isaac Ojonugwa, Director of Trade of the group, said that FACAN would verify products to ensure they met international best standards before they leave the country for the exhibition.