As part of efforts to boost non-oil exports, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has trained 150 entrepreneurs on the use of Amazon e-commerce platform, to profitably sell their products across the world.

          Commissioner in the Ministry, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe, while speaking in Abeokuta at a workshop with the theme; "Increasing Market Access through Amazon e-commerce Platform", noted that the State government remains unwavering towards assisting small businesses gain access to the international market.

          Longe added that the workshop which is in line with the drive of the present administration at supporting businesses, would expose the participants to how they could successfully use the Amazon platform to sell their products to buyers in other countries and educate them on appropriate certifications and standards required for successful exportation.

          She called on the participants to take advantage of the training to widen the scope of their businesses and earn foreign exchange, encouraging them to look for various opportunities to trade outside Nigeria, in order to generate foreign exchange to increase the current earnings of the country.

          Also speaking, the South West Regional Coordinator, NEPC, Mr. Samuel Oyeyipo, said the training was organised to educate entrepreneurs on the requirements and steps needed to gain market access through the Amazon platform.

           Oyeyipo added that the Council would continue to put up programme to enable entrepreneurs venture into export business profitably, assuring that it would follow-up participants after the training.

          In his presentation, the Chief Executive Officer, Export and Sell USA, Nduka Udeh described the Amazon platform as a highly beneficial platform, which records $33bn monthly sales, noting that States which are committed to leveraging the opportunities could help entrepreneurs make up to $500M sales on a monthly basis.

          Udeh stated that his organisation would assist the Ogun State government by helping 10 entrepreneurs who consistently trade on the Amazon platform, calling on States across the country to relate with the Federal Government to put an end to challenges posed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and other regulatory agencies.

          Speaking on behalf of other participants, Elizabeth Aremu and Udeme Umoh lauded the organisers, describing the training as an eye-opener which would spur them to place their products on globally recognised e-commerce platforms.