By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Members of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) have been assured of an enabling environment in Imo state to enhance foreign exchange earnings.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Geff Ojinika, gave the assurance when members of the Council paid him a courtesy call in Owerri.

Ojinika informed that their request for an office accommodation in the state had received the Governor’s approval and urged them to exercise a little patience.

“Imo state will soon embark on a campaign for the planting of economic trees like improved cashew nuts, palm fruits and others, to cushion the effects of the economic meltdown on the state”, Ojinika said.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the group, Mr. David Onwubiko, said that “the Federal Government is now ready to re-open the Export Promotion Council office in Imo state to serve the Eastern part of the country”.

Continuing, Onwubiko said that when functional, the office would supervise the exportation of goods that would earn foreign exchange for the country and pleaded with the state government for an enabling environment to operate.