Mr Sylvester Ejarkaminor, Convener, Economic Community of West African States and friendly countries trade fair (ECOFAIRS), has said that its ongoing fourth edition fair would boost regional trade and spur entrepreneurship development.
This, he asserted, would happen especially with African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) currently on the cards.
Ejarkaminor, speaking on the sidelines of the ECOFAIRS launch on Thursday in Lagos, added that with the fair, Nigeria would gain massive inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).
He stated that the fair would also boost the activities of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) noting that the exhibition stands were provided at a very affordable price to encourage and support their dreams.
The convener noted that ECOFAIRS was birthed from the desire to create a common business platform for regional entrepreneurs across various sectors and countries.
According to him, a minimum of 32 countries and about 1000 exhibitors were expected to grace the event, with the level of coordination from various countries.
“The fair is in line with the objectives of AfCFTA to drive intra-Africa trade and we hope they would use this platform to invest in the country” he said.
In her remarks, Dr Lola Akande, Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MCIC), Lagos, reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Government to provide a business friendly environment to promote entrepreneurship in the state.
Akande, represented by Mrs Helen Adeshina, Director, MCIC, noted that the fair was in accordance with the ECOWAS mandate to promote cooperation and integration in commerce, energy, telecommunications and agriculture.
She said that the Lagos state government would continue to provide support for entrepreneurs and business owners to mitigate the economic challenges of COVID-19 pandemic through its business friendly policies.
She charged entrepreneurs and start ups to take advantage of opportunities capable of showcasing them internationally.
“Lagos with a population of over 21 million people, remains the commercial, industrial and financial hub of the country and also the gateway to globalization in ECOWAS.
“The state is also the hub of regional maritime and aviation activities as well as the nerve center of the non-oil trade in Nigeria.
“With the advent of AFCFTA, Lagos is positioned to engage commercially with other African nations to boost export and create jobs opportunities in the country.
“The state government has made available remarkable investment opportunities through the lekki free zone which provides the organized private sector access to exportation of goods and services.
“This current administration has continued to invest heavily in transport and road infrastructure through the rehabilitation of trailer park and call up hub in Apapa, network of roads at Lekki and construction work from Epe to Sagamu to enhance commercial development in the State.
“We would continue to build up on the initiatives as a state government towards a business friendly environment,” she said.
