Trade Liberalisation: NASCO Group Gets ECOWAS Certification
Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
NASCO Group of Companies, makers of various consumer goods based in Plateau state has again achieved a great feat having recently received the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) approval registration certificate, making it the first-ever ETLS certificate covering no fewer than 18 of its products.
The ETLS, which first came into existence in 1979 stipulates that for any product to qualify, such a product must pass certain criteria including possession of at least 60 per cent of its total quantity of raw materials originating from within ECOWAS region, input of other materials deployed in production has received a value-addition of at least 30 per cent of the ex-factory price of the finished goods, and that the product must prove substantially changed in the tariff heading among others.
ETLS, as currently configured, confers several types of advantages and benefits to qualified, duly registered and Nigerian entities and their counterparts across the sub-region which include increased market access, duty-free and quota-free for registered and certified products, expanded promotion of economic integration within the West African sub-region, anticipated increases in profitability margins for participating entities, participation in international trade fairs within the sub-region at Government expense, as well as access to loans and grants from the federal government and other multi-lateral agencies among others.
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NASCO Group, Mr. Attia Nasreddin, who briefed journalists in Jos at the weekend disclosed that the companies’ products approved and admitted under ETLS were the five cornflakes brands made up of original, vanilla, strawberry, banana and frotyz, adding that in the biscuit category, were the various brands such as short cake, banana cream, strawberry cream, lemon cream, orange cream and crackers.
Others, according to Nasreddin, include the Brytex and Bonus detergent as well as Plus Lemon dish wash, plus lily dish wash, Beauty ocean hand wash, beauty Lavendar hand wash and Beauty Rose Hand wash.
Nasreddin applauded Nigerians and indeed other customers across the globe that patronise NASCO products for their continued support, stressing that his company will continue to enhance and deliver products of the highest quality which aims to satisfy not only its numerous customers but one that will also ensure value-chain addition to the overall economy.
