The Nigeria Export Promotion Council in collaboration with the First Bank of Nigerian Plc, has organized a one day workshop for women entrepreneurs in Sokoto on how to export their product to international market.

Speaking in his remarks, the head , trade promotion advisor, NEPC Sokoto smart office, Ahmed S Yahya, called on women entrepreneurs in the state to register with the agency so as to stand a chance in benefiting from the available opportunities.

He said First Bank of Nigeria has promised to make soft loan available for any interested members to pursue the export business.

He said the agency has strike a deal with the bank within the Northwest region of the country to introduce their products for export, provided such person has all the registration papers especially with the agency as well as NAFDAC papers intact.

He divulge that the agency together with the management of the First Bank is ready to assist in getting the goods to international market for proper marketing.

Ahmed further assured that in no distance time, the economy of the country will not be driven by oil but by exportation through entrepreneurship.

Speaking while delivering her paper titled, “Export Potentials for Women” Ambassador Nafisa Abubakar Zaki, an entrepreneur and socal development expert, urged Nigerian women especially those from the Northern axis of the country not to relax but make use of their God given potentials.

Zaki, who is the founder of Zaki’s Gems General Services LTD, urged them to note that trade enhances opportunity for anyone regardless of their gender or background.

Also speaking, a Canada base entrepreneur,Kemi Amusan, also known as Lady Kay who address the participants from Canada via zoom, commend NEPC and First Bank for creating the opportunity for the women in the state.

Amusan, who is the Chief Executive Director, Global Women Ambassadors in Canada, said her association is ready to work with the small scale business owners in Nigeria in marketing their products abroad.

She called on NEPC to collaborate more with those in Disapora in other to have a good working relationship.

Other speakers include Mrs Efua Gbadamosi, who is the head of Export Desk, First Bank delivered a paper tiled, “Accessing non-oil export finance facilities” while Mrs Bamidele Kutemi, Unit head, Youth and women banking of First Bank delivered her paper titled’ Women products and their accessibility”. Both papers were also delivered via zoom from Lagos.

Meanwhile, one of the participants, Mrs Kudirat Adegoke, who spoke with our correspondent has commended the organizers of the workshop, which she said is timely.

She said such seminars will spur women especially from the Northern region to do more, having realise that people and corporate bodies believe in them.

She however appealed to government at all levels to continue to create enabling environment so as help more women to make use of their God given potentials.