The ministry of communications has said that it will fully align with the calls for the use of ICT to provide valuable insight on current trends and practices in the export industry.
Mr. M F Istifanus, Permanent Secertary, Ministry of Communications stated this at the just concluded Nigerian Export Summit and Awards 2019, with the theme: “The Digital Era, Business on the Move: Export in the Fast Lane,’’ held at Victoria Island, Lagos and was organised by AFRITEX.
Mr Istifanus who was represented by Dr. Patrick Oghuma, Technical Assistant, Ministry of Communications said that ministry aligns with the aim of the summit which is using ICT to provide valuable insight on current trends and practices in the export industry.
He noted that the export sector can play a facilitator’s role in boosting the economy and creating new wealth and entrepreneurship in our communities, stressing also that they are determined to roll out essential ICT services to all citizens, especially those who live in underserviced areas of the country.
The permanent secretary stated that the role of ICT in our economy cannot be overemphasized; saying that it is currently contributing up to 10.11% of Nigeria’s GDP and had created over 10 million jobs in the past 10 years.
According to him, “ICT is currently contributing up to 10.11% of Nigeria’s GDP and had created over 10 million jobs in the past 10 years.
“Development in the ICT sector has provided well over $70 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) over the last 15 years.
“It is indeed one of the fastest growing sectors of the Nigerian economy and is the second largest ICT market in Africa”.
He stated that government will offer every support to ensure that our local ICT firms (service providers and manufacturers) have a qualitative competitive advantage over others.
“We as a government will offer every support to ensure that our local ICT firms (service providers and manufacturers) have a qualitative competitive advantage over others.
“We need to work together to seize this window of opportunity to deliver the potential this sector promises by exploring ICT export.
“If we do so, Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology sector will attract international investors.
“As a Government, we are determined not just to restore growth, but growth that is diversified, inclusive; sustainable and robust in the long term, irrespective of whatever happens to the price of crude oil.
“This ICT and Telecom sector should be able to export products and services, he added
Amb. Ayoola Olukanni, Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) speaking at the event, urged exporters to utilise Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to boost exports in the country.
He said that Nigerians in diaspora had a huge export potential and if technology was well utilised in the sector, it would boost the nation’s chances of working with other countries.
“Nigerians in the sector also need to keep up with global best practices when exporting to other countries.
“It is also necessary to adhere to rules and regulations when exporting to other countries,’’ he said.
Olukanni said that electronic media and e-commerce had also helped many Nigerians to showcase their products to the world.
He also noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had taken measures that would increase and diversify exports in Nigeria..