How manufacturers plan to enhance competitiveness in global market
Nigerian manufacturers are hard hit by poor market and credit access, infrastructure hiccups, low patronage and high production cost.
These and many other factors are hurting their competitiveness in the local and international markets.
To this end, manufacturers are planning an industry-wide Nigeria Manufacturing Equipment Expo at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.
Over 3, 000 participants from Nigerian and six other countries have indicated interest to participate in the three-day event.
The expo with the theme, ‘Enhancing Nigeria’s Manufacturing Competitiveness in the Global Space’, according to president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Frank Udemba Jacobs, will create a new platform for Nigerian manufacturers to strengthen industrial capacity and reduce dependence on importation of raw materials for local production.
Speaking at the pre-event media parley to announce this year’s event, which is co-located with the fourth Nigerian Raw Materials Expo (NIRAM EXPO) 2018, Jacobs said the participants will have a first-hand experience of the latest manufacturing equipment, machine tools, technologies, spare parts and raw materials during the event.
Organised by Clarion Events West Africa in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Raw Materials and Research Development Council (RMRDC), the expo is scheduled to hold from March 13-15.
“This year’s edition will be an improvement on previous editions, as it would afford several companies and countries, which have registered as exhibitors and visitors, a rare opportunity of exposure to the entire manufacturing value chain, which will include machinery, equipment, financial support, professional consultancy and raw materials.”
He stressed that the fair would be the most exciting thing to happen to the industrial sector in Nigeria in 2018, adding that it would also provide opportunities for the large and medium size corporations to retool, and get local sources of raw materials to boost production, reduce cost and time of procurement.
Zainab Hammanga, director, investment and consultancy services, Raw Materials, Research and Development Council (RMRDC), expressed her excitement about the event, and adding that the inclusion of NIRAM to NME EXPO 2018 makes the event even better, especially with the increasing interests of state governments to participate through showcasing the available raw materials within their respective states, as well as the enthusiasm by the organised private sector producing secondary raw materials.
Joseph Oru, event manager, Nigeria Manufacturing & Equipment Expo, believes that with a more solid integration between equipment manufacturing, raw material producers and manufacturers, the nation will be able to fast track her quest in developing the manufacturing industry.
“Expected manufacturers and manufacturing equipment distributors will have the opportunity to evaluate and purchase latest equipment, machine tools, technologies, spare parts, and raw materials as well as display their technologies to over 120 leading local and international suppliers,” Oru noted.
ODINAKA ANUDU & DAVID IBEMERE