By Felix Khanoba
One of the fastest growing indigenous food manufacturing companies in Nigeria, Halibiz Industries Limited, has been commended by some Federal Government agencies over its move to export products abroad.
The company which is located in the Idu Industrial Centre, Abuja, is founded by its President, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu, with the main aim of providing healthier, quality and affordable products to Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
Speaking during a facility tour to the company, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Ms Yewande Sadiku,and Executive Director/Chief Executive and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, expressed delight over the level of accomplishments by the company.
The two chief executives, who were also joined by the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Abba Bello, pledged to assist the company in meeting its aspirations.
They unanimously agreed that Halibiz operations met all the objectives of what the federal government’s policy initiatives on export sought to achieve.
On the high standards put in place by the company in its production activities and its export-oriented drive, the chief executives said such actions would boost Nigerian economy in terms of foreign exchange earnings and job creation.
NIPC boss, Sadiku, who was visibly impressed by the company’s contribution to the nation’s economy, said the objectives of government policy was for, “Nigerians to create jobs for Nigerians” adding that, “every Nigerian who does something of value should aspire to venture out.”
She said the factory was particularly heart-warming given that it was built by Nigerians.
Sadiku, while counselling staff to adhere to best quality standards as the company prepared for exports, said, “every government policy objective is represented in what you people are doing here today.”
In the same vein, a visibly excited Awolowo, said: “It’s a day of joy to visit your factory to see what you are doing”.
He said amidst various difficulties, the government would always strive to support the likes of Halibiz by creating an enabling environment to help the private sector excel.
He urged the company to take advantage of the federal government’s N50 billion export expansion facility programme, which according to him is a grant to help companies grow as well as help some survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NEPC boss, particularly noted that the paucity of Nigerian delicacies and products on shelves of supermarkets abroad, the initiative by the company will change the narrative, especially in view of the fact that, “In Nigeria everything in supermarkets are imported.”
He congratulated Aliyu and his team, for the vision, tenacity, determination and courage to embark on the initiative despite daunting challenges.
He also advised the management to seek necessary financial support to further meet its aspirations.
On his part, the Managing Director of NEXIM, promised to support with financial advocacy that could facilitate funding support to the company.
He said: “I am much impressed because of the level of investments I have seen go into this place already.
“For us, as a financier of Nigerian exports, what we want to see is always the aspiration of moving up the global value chain.”
“We want to see (Nigerian) products on the shelves of supermarkets not in Nigeria but supermarkets across West Africa, across Africa and eventually across the world.”
