The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has stated that a memorandum of understanding will soon be signed between the Bank and Taraba State Government as part of the Bank’s effort to achieve the zero-oil plan of the federal government by boosting investments in the non-oil export sector through partnership arrangement with state governments under the State Export Development Programme.

In furtherance of this objective, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, his Excellency Arch. Daruis Dickson Ishaku paid a visit to NEXIM Bank on Wednesday, 7^th September, 2020 to discuss and deliberate on the modalities to collaborate with the Bank to upscale the production and boost the export of the vast array of Agricultural and Mineral resources in the state.

Receiving the Governor and his entourage at the Bank’s Headquarters in Abuja were the Managing Director/Chief Executive Mr. Abba Bello, Executive Director Corporate Services, Dr. Bala Bello and Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director, Business Development.

The Managing Director seized the opportunity to brief the governor on the initiatives of the Bank to promote at least one exportable commodity in every state of the federation towards achieving the federal government’s zero oil plan and the initiatives of the Mr. President to create 1 million jobs annually. He added that a partnership with Taraba State will not only support this initiative, but also contribute towards mitigating some of the security challenges in the North East and prepare the region towards effective participation in the continental market under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

In responding, the Governor emphasized the efforts of his administration to develop the economic potentials of the state, intimating that the state is one of the highest producers of major cash crops in Nigeria and has the capability to export agricultural products like Tea, Coffee, Palm Produce and Cocoa.  In the Solid Minerals sector, he noted that the state is well endowed with minerals like Gold, Lead/Zinc, Coal, Byrite, Lithium, Uranium and Bauxite, which could be developed for export.  While concluding his remarks, the governor noted that perhaps the biggest potential is in the tourism industry, given the clement weather and Mambilla Paleau, which is the highest in Nigeria.

In closing, both parties agreed to work together to unlock the opportunities, towards boosting the contribution of the state to non-oil exports and the economic diversification objectives of the federal government of Nigeria.