By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
In a strategic move to expand export opportunities for products made in the state, the Cross River Microfinance and Enterprise Development Center (MEDA) recently engaged in a high-level meeting with the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) in Calabar.
This is sequel to NEXIM’s participation in the recent International Women’s Day celebration, where it stressed on sustainable partnership between the two organizations.
Director-General of MEDA, Great Ogban, presented the agency’s initiatives aimed at strengthening the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector and promoting local production.
He outlined MEDA’s ambitious goal to prepare 1000 made-in-Cross River products for export, aligning with Governor Bassey Otu’s vision of “One MSME per home” and “One Local Government One Product (OLOP),” across the 18 local government areas in the state
Head of NEXIM’s Calabar Regional Office, Soni Oseghale, welcomed the MEDA delegation and commended the agency’s commitment to MSME development.
He provided insights into NEXIM’s operations, emphasizing its focus on the “MASS” sectors, which includes Manufacturing, Agro-processing, Solid minerals, and Services.
Oseghale also highlighted key programs such as the Women and Youth Export Facility (WAYEF), Produce, Add Value and Export (PAVE), and the upcoming Women In Export program, designed to support women and youth in the non-oil export value chain.
The meeting saw NEXIM Bank reiterating its support to enhance access to market opportunities for MSMEs in Cross River State.
