Nigeria’s largest container terminal, APM Terminals Apapa on Wednesday hosted the maiden edition of its “Exporters Forum”, with a promise to support the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy through the promotion of non-oil exports.
Speaking at the event, the Country Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, expressed appreciation to the exporters for the role they play in economic growth and advancement.
He said the Exporters Forum was created as an avenue to exchange ideas to eliminate obstacles facing the export business in Nigeria.
He noted that non-oil export remains an important aspect of the Nigerian economy and reiterated APM Terminals’ commitment to ensuring that exporters using the terminal are able to transact their business with little or no obstacles.
He assured the exporters of quick loading and offloading, fast positioning for Customs examination and prompt delivery.
Klinke said Nigeria is naturally endowed with many resources to place it amongst the top emerging economies of the world. He assured that APM Terminals will continue to support the country’s export drive to diversify the economy, earn more foreign exchange, create jobs and prosperity for the people.
Also speaking at the event, the Commercial Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Ismaila Badjie said the terminal will continue to explore ways of facilitating non-oil exports at its facilities across Nigeria.
Chief Commercial Officer, APM Terminals Nigeria, Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi said the terminal was already working with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on using the new standard gauge rail line to facilitate the transportation of containers from Moniya, Oyo State to the port. She also expressed APM Terminals’ commitment to the use of barges to move boxes in and out of the port to facilitate both imports and exports, and reduce pressure on the road.
Aubert-Adewuyi assured the exporters of regular interaction. She said the Exporters Forum will be expanded and held bi-annually.
While identifying various challenges facing export cargo along the logistics chain, many of the exporters that attended the forum commended APM Terminals for the initiative and for supporting the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy.
The President, Association of West African Exporters and Marine Professionals, Olubunmi Olumekun expressed appreciation to APM Terminals Apapa for providing the platform to discuss the logistics challenges facing exporters. He said Nigeria has a huge export market which can only be developed through collaboration.
The exporters were taken on a tour of the terminal after the event.
APM Terminals Apapa has invested more than USD438million (over N657 billion) — the highest by any private terminal operator in Nigeria — in the upgrade and development of the terminal since it commenced operation in 2006. The investment was made in infrastructure, container handling equipment, modernization of the terminals’ IT hardware and software systems, manpower training and in the development of additional capacity, resulting in significant improvements in productivity, with zero waiting time for vessels and a doubling of container volumes.
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