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Businesses Urged to Embrace E-Commerce for Growth, Says NEPC
Micro, medium, and small-scale enterprises have been urged to embrace e-commerce as the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) underscores the growing shift of businesses to the online sphere. The call to action was made during a recent one-day sensitization workshop in Awka, spearheaded by the NEPC.
Mr. Ndubueze Okeke, the Deputy Director and Coordinator of the NEPC office in Awka, emphasized the pivotal role of e-commerce in the contemporary global economy. “We are mindful of the importance of digital trade in today’s global economy,” Okeke expressed, echoing the sentiment in line with the administration’s strategic direction.
The workshop provided a platform for youths and small businesses to engage in knowledge sharing and exploration of the boundless opportunities presented by e-commerce. Okeke highlighted the unprecedented benefits of e-commerce, emphasizing that deals worth millions can be sealed from the comfort of one’s home or office, using nothing more than a mobile phone or laptop.
The transformative nature of e-commerce was further expounded upon by Dr. Peter Okey Ejikeme, a former Registrar of Tansian and Hezekiah Universities. His presentation, titled ‘Enlightenment on application of e-commerce in export business for Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises’, offered practical insights for leveraging e-commerce to generate revenue and maximize operational efficiency. Dr. Ejikeme stressed the limitless nature of e-commerce, emphasizing its capacity to transcend geographical boundaries and time constraints.
Ejikeme’s discourse elucidated the multifaceted advantages of e-commerce, including access to international marketplaces, cost optimization, tailored product offerings, and the eradication of temporal limitations, amongst other benefits.
Christian Udechukwu, Anambra State’s commissioner for Industry, who graced the event, affirmed the Soludo administration’s commitment to nurturing a cohort of digitally adept youths. Udechukwu underscored the significance of grooming a generation primed to harness the opportunities inherent in the global e-commerce landscape.
The clarion call from the NEPC and other stakeholders resonates as a prelude to a strategic transformation in Nigeria’s business landscape, nudging entities towards a future-oriented mindset anchored in the realm of e-commerce. As businesses pivot towards digitization, the imperative for SMEs to adapt, innovate, and thrive in the online marketplace has never been more compelling.
This proactive approach, espoused by the NEPC and echoed by industry stakeholders, seeks to position Nigerian businesses at the vanguard of the global e-commerce revolution, underpinning the nation’s quest for economic resilience and sustainable growth on the digital frontier.
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