LCCI holds fair to promote Nigeria’s industrialisation

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has flagged off the 2017 Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF). The trade fair is targeted at promoting Nigeria’s industrial sector to fast-track the country’s recovery from economic slump.

Speaking at the public presentation of the 2017 LITF Prospectus, Nike Akande, president, LCCI, said the theme of this year’s fair, ‘Promoting Industrialisation for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Growth’, would provide a platform for industrial, manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals and service sectors to showcase their products to a large audience of visitors and participants .

“The theme of the fair is quite apt and timely in the face of current economic realities, which underscore the need for diversification and inter-sectoral synergy,” Akande said.

She called on industry players to support the efforts of the government in revamping and stabilising the economy through the injection of capital into the economy to drive investments in agriculture, manufacturing, trade, services and technology.

She said the recently unveiled Federal Government’s Economic and Growth Plan (ERGP) of 2017 -2020 was expected to promote macroeconomic stability and economic diversification through fiscal stimulus, monetary stability and improvement of external balance of trade.

“The 60-day National Action Plan on Ease of Doing Business is expected to impact on the investment climate through three priority areas, which are the international trade and immigration processes as well as transparency and inclusion in public sector procurement,” she stated, stressing that these forms could enhance Nigeria’s ranking in the Ease of Doing Business.

Sola Oyetayo, chairman of Trade Promotion Board of the LCCI, said it was imperative to begin to focus on how the economy could experience sustainable and inclusive growth through industrialisation.

He said the chamber would be introducing the Entrepreneur Master Class Competition, as part of efforts to encourage budding entrepreneurs.

He reiterated the need for the government to create sustainable policies that would usher in a friendly business environment through industrialisation and diversification.

ODINAKA ANUDU & JOSEPHINE OKOJIE