CBN’s forex restriction to boost oil palm production, says Presco
Presco Plc has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) policy to ban foreign exchange sales to certain segments of the economy, noting that the move by the apex bank will help save its hard-earned and scarce foreign exchange as well as boost local production in the country.
The Chairman, Presco Plc, Pierre Vandebeeck, in a statement, explained that each time Nigeria spends its foreign exchange on products that can be produced locally, it creates wealth and employment for other economies of the world.
Vandebeeck made this known during the company’s yearly general meeting, pointing out that Nigeria must focus on addressing its macro-economic issues by diversifying the nation’s revenue base.
We applaud the decision of the CBN for the restriction on the sale of foreign exchange policy because there is no reason to import things with our hard earned foreign exchange on things we can produce locally.
When we import, we spend our scarce foreign exchange creating wealth and employment for other economies whereas, there are so many problems to be tackled here,” he said.Meanwhile, he advised Nigerians to give the current administration time to deliver on its mandate, saying that the problems are numerous and would require some time to fix.
We hope he finds a lasting solution to the nation’s insecurity challenges because this area is very important,” he added.
He attributed the company’s milestone achievement to handwork and resilience, maintaining that oil palm business is a long-term business and in spite of the harsh business terrain in the country, the company is still waxing strong.
He said the company’s turnover, gross profit and profit before tax were higher than previous year by 8 per cent, 39 per cent and 47 per cent respectively, noting that it was also a year of further consolidation through continuous increase in strategic investments that secure Presco’s leadership position in oil palm plantation, multiple improved efficiencies on industrial operations, further automation, green energy from bio-methanisation, increased investment in research and development and staff reorganisation.
He said the company is committed to research and development activities, saying that research and development is at the forefront of new planting material development and has been very successful in increasing the quantity of fresh fruit bunches (ffb) and oil per hectare of plantation.
He added that the company continues to reap the dividends of its expansion programme of the previous years, stressing that the performance of the year 2014 was very good.
We achieved a total ffb production of 162,076 metric tonnes as against 125,481 metric tonnes in the previous year; crude palm oil (cpo) produced was 27,286 metric tonnes compared with 27585 metric tonnes of the year 2013 and refined, bleached, deodorised oil of 25,279 metric tonnes compared with 26,055 metric tonnes for the year 2013,” he added.
On outlook for this year, he noted that the company envisage an increasing challenge in the market and macro-economic conditions in 2015, maintaining that the company will concentrate on efficiencies in the management of operations across its value chain and continue with its planned long-term industry leadership focused expansion programme.
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1 Comments
This is the kind of support and action that is needed to reduce our importation of everything. There needs to action and support across all MDA for CBN policy to reduce the importation of things we already produce in the country. massive education of the long term goals needs to be carried out.
We will review and take appropriate action.