Dutse — Director-General of Jigawa State Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (JICCIMA) Alhaji Abdulkarim Abdullah Hussein has said that the major thrust of the chamber's activity in 2013 is to boost the export of sesame seed and herbiscus (zobo) which the state has a relative advantage over others in the country.

He said this yesterday in a chat with Daily Trust in his office.

"We produce more than 3000 tons of sesame seeds and over 2000 tons of zobo in Jigawa. These items are needed in the Middle East, China and Eastern Europe. Sesame seeds are needed as condiments in confectioneries while herbiscus (zobo) has herbal medicinal values. We want to encourage the export of these products by enlightening farmers and attracting markets for them," he said.

Alhaji Hussein called on the Jigawa State government to assist them in this regard, adding that the young chamber needed the support of all stakeholders in its quest to promote commerce, mines and industry in Jigawa.

He said JICCIMA is working round the clock to produce a working document from their last agric summit on how to revolutionalise agriculture as the main stay of Jigawa economy.

The DG told Daily Trust the chamber is planning a bigger and better trade fair this year, adding that prompt release of grant from the state government will go a long way in making their arrangement a success.