Nigerian Export Promotion Council said that N40.8 billion was realised as revenue from the exportation of the non-oil products within the first quarter of 2007.

Modupe Sasore, Director General of NEPC who disclosed this in Abuja said this is against the N22.4 billion and N22.2 billion generated in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

The council, according to her, is targeting 34 per cent increase in the export of non oil product for this year as against 24 per cent in 2006.

Sasore also noted that there have been significant growth in the rate of exportation of non oil product since 2004 stressing that the export rate which was about three per cent in 2004 rose to 8 per cent in 2005 and jumped to 24 per cent in 2006.

While stressing that there is the need to focus more attention on the exportation of non-oil products the DG said the exportation target for this year should not be less than 34 per cent.

She stated that machineries have been put in motion to ensure that the target is met and even exceed it, this according to her include empowering the exporters and providing necessary infrastructures that will enhance exportation.

The NEPC boss disclosed that there are over 300 registered exporters with the council who have been certified by the Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) stressing that with the aid of Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and sanity introduced into the export processing the exporters will be more prepared for competition in the export market.

According to her, the exporters are now better equipped to face the world market and that is why their products are gaining wider acceptability in the market, noting that the exporters were exposed to training and workshop on packaging and other areas that can improve the quality of the products.

She stated that part of the achievement of the council include new product development such as Thaumatin, Coconut Oil, Development of service sector for exports, successfully completion of its pilot project on Information Technology Business Process Outsourcing (IT BPO).

Others, she said was adoption of the "Quickwin Strategy to boost export. Products involved are sesame seed, floriculture, pineapple, cassava and ginger as well as removal of non-oil export constraints.

According to her, the Council has also achieved "efficient and transparent administration of the Export Expansion Scheme, establishment of the Common Facility Centre in Aba for leather and leather products".