Lagos – The Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, Adesoji Adesugba, has revealed that the agency was working with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI, and the ‘Best Centre,’ that specialised in the training of gemologists, to widen the scope of the gemstones trade in order to attract Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, into the country.
Adesugba made the remark in Abuja in reaction to the appointment of Mrs Amina Okpukpara to the International Board of the Women Jewelry Association, New York.
He said the country’s gemstones industry was speedily gaining global attention with Okpukpara’s appointment to the international board, as he emphasised that the sector was a multi-billion-naira enterprise that required public and private collaboration for a more effective and efficient management.
Adesugba, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA, stated that it was gratifying to see how Okpukpara had consistently explored and exploited the sector both in Nigeria and the United States.
He, therefore, reiterated the Authority’s readiness to encourage Nigerians living abroad to link up with the sector back at home through the free trade zones corridors which had the required incentives to spike the needed enormous profits for the investors.
Speaking further on attracting FDI into the sector, the NEPZA boss said: “This is a huge enterprise and investors are welcome to collaborate with us on how to promote the sector in our free zones.
“I therefore, congratulate our newest ambassador in the sector, Mrs Amina Lotanna Okpukpara GIA GG, AJP on her well-deserved appointment to the International Board of the Women Jewelry Association.”
Adesugba stated that Okpukpara “has contributed immensely to the gemstones and Jewelry Industry in Nigeria and Africa,” adding: “We are, however, not surprised with this new appointment as she has long craved to be an international player in the sector.”
NEPZA was established in 1992 with the mandate to administer Nigeria’s free zones scheme, both as an operator and as a regulator.
The agency is, specifically, charged with establishing, licensing, regulating and operating highly efficient Free Zones by providing a highly competitive incentive scheme, excellent support facilities and service for the purpose of creating an enabling environment for export manufacturing and other commercial activities.
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