The Director General, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim | Photo: Google
‘We are preparing for the common market- African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Nigeria, the giant, should not ‘carry last’ in AfCFTA’
By Valentine Amanze
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has trained Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) standards for global competition.
The measure would further mitigate the forex crisis being experienced in the country, as more export earnings would help boost the national economy.
The Director General, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, disclosed this at the general training for MSMEs,
titled: “Products Competitiveness: Driving Home-Grown Economy Via Standardisation.”
Salim, who said that competition drives the world today, pointed out that there is serious competition in every sphere of life.
According to him, one must be ready, prepared and equipped to compete actively, effectively and profitably.
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Tasking participants on the benefits of the Free Trade Zone, Salim pointed out that the county requires local products that are borderless; products that Nigerians in the Diaspora, quite millions of them, could patronize; standard and quality products that are acceptable and competitive anywhere across the world, particularly in Africa, “now that we are preparing for the common market- African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Nigeria, the giant, should not ‘carry last’ in AfCFTA.”
Applauding the training, Salim explained that product competitiveness requires that the particular product must have been manufactured or produced in accordance with good manufacturing practice.
He commended the efforts of MSMEs towards growing their businesses and developing the economy, while urging them to do more.
“Most of you have been working closely with SON to produce quality goods. We are proud of this positive development-that SMEs and industrialists are producing good and quality products. However, we need to do more. We are encouraging all of us to do more; that is why we are bringing standardisation closer to your doorsteps. “
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