NAN-F-16
Export
By Mike Mbonye
Johannesburg, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria`s Consul General in South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, has urged Nigerian investors to explore business opportunities in South Africa.
Ajulu-Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Johannesburg, South Africa, that Nigerian food, apparels, agricultural produce and some solid minerals were in high demand in that country.
She said that state governments and investors could tap into such opportunities for export in order to earn foreign exchange.
“ I can confirm to you that Nigerian beer, malt, yam, plantain, garri and vegetables are doing well in South African markets.
“ Rubber and Nigerian solid minerals are needed here. Our solid minerals sector is begging for export and it is important to explore it,” she said.
Ajulu-Okeke stated that the Nigerian business community could achieve much in this regard through value addition such as canning of local delicacies for export to South Africa.
“ Nigerians travel and have exported their cuisine. We can emulate the Chinese who popularised Chinese restaurant in different parts of the world.
“ We can internationalise our cuisine. What our nutritionists can do is to advertise and research on ways of canning and preparing our food for export.
“ I can also inform you that South Africans eat our local amala, plantain and jollof rice. The opportunities are there waiting to be tapped,” she said.
Ajulu-Okeke said that some South African firms have already visited Nigeria to import rubber for production.
“ Again, this is another area states with abundant rubber can key-in and earn foreign exchange,’’ the envoy said. (NAN)
MEMO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)