The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has said that poor packaging and labelling of goods produced in the country is adversely affecting the export of the nation’s products.

The council stated this in Port Harcourt during a workshop organised by its South-South regional office.

The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, explained that poor packaging and labelling of products produced in Nigeria had been a stumbling block in moving such products out of the country.

Awolowo, who was represented by the Regional Coordinator, NEPC, Mr. Mike Nworgu, maintained that poor labelling standard was the reason why Nigerian products were not being allowed into other countries.

Pointing out that Nigeria was producing good products, Awolowo said, “For an exporter to succeed and survive in the export market, he requires adequate knowledge of the dynamics of the market as well as the application of appropriate export strategies in all aspects of the business.

“Part of the strategies is to ensure suitable packaging and labelling of products. Sadly, the importance of packaging and labelling is sometimes subverted, leading to export rejects and outright ban of Nigerian products in some instances.

“It must be emphasised that there is no shortcut to success in the international markets. Exports’ success is a function of effective application of global best practices in business. A careful design of export development programmes to support business to gain advantage in foreign markets is also essential in ensuring the success of the business.”

Awolowo said that the NEPC had also taken strategic steps to ensure that goods produced in the country were properly branded.