The Lagos International Trade Fair, the biggest fair of its kind in West Africa, has kicked off. The event, which presents businesses from across Nigeria the opportunity to showcase their goods and services to millions of people from across the West African sub-region, commenced as scheduled on Friday, November 4, 2016.
This year’s trade fair is themed “Positioning the Nigerian Economy for Diversification and Sustainable Growth”. In accordance with this theme, a variety of businesses will be showcasing their products and services, connecting with potential customers, forging new business relationships, and expanding their horizon of opportunities, in locations across the city of Lagos. The organizers of the fair have turned their sights to a future in which the non-oil sector plays an increasingly important role in Nigeria’s economy. The hope is that this year’s fair will highlight a wide range of possibilities in areas not adequately exploited for national growth purposes until recently.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2016 trade fair at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Friday, Nike Akande, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), harped on the importance of reviving Nigeria’s struggling economy by focusing economic revitalization efforts on the non-oil sector.
“The non-oil sector is generally more inclusive and integrated”, Mrs. Akande said. “It is also more growth oriented, and characterized by high economic linkages; it is more stable and above all, more sustainable”.
Businesses at the trade fair represent a diverse range of sectors: agriculture and food production, building and construction materials, mining and energy, telecommunications, automobile, furniture and fittings, fashion and textile, banking and finance services, oil and gas, plants and equipment, security and safety, among others. It covers virtually all aspects of business and economic activities in Nigeria.
The general interest fair is at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos. The Lagos International Trade Fair continues until Sunday, November 13, 2016.