Organisers of the 11th International Trade Fair/Expo, on Thursday in Abuja, said that the event would provide an avenue to strengthen Nigeria’s productivity strength.
The organisers said the fair which would commence June 21 and end August 23 in Abuja, must increase productivity to improve the value of naira.
Described the Theme of the event, “Diversification as Catalyst to our National Development’’ as apt, Amb. Israel Edward, Chairman, Paradise Production, emphasised the need for Nigeria to move away from mono economy.
He said that no fewer than 1000 participants from 24 countries were expected to attend the event.
According to him, many inventors and manufacturers are coming to show the world that we can invent.
“They will let the world know how we can actually depend on our own production and create things that ordinarily we thought we could not produce.
“People will come and start buying from us and we will also have it.
“The trade fair is going to pull a lot on intellects we have in this country and it will encourage people to start being creative and come out with their ingenuity,’’ Edward said
On his part, the co-organiser of the event, Innocent Ogu, President, African Legacy International, said that the need to move the country from consumption to production economy necessitated the trade fair.
According to him, “we are using this expo to give interest to all sectors of the economy, giving them the opportunity to drive the economy for national development.
“It is expected that ministries, departments and agencies, the private sector as well as exhibitors are keying into the event to come and exhibit their products and day-to-day delivery of their services.
“It is an avenue to showcase made-in-Nigeria products and our cultural heritage.
“So, we are hoping that all aspects of the economy with farmers in the village, wood makers in the street, designers in the workshops, shoe makers in the factories will all be working towards the national economic growth.
“We are using this trade fair to galvanise the production strength of the country to say that our economy can sustain our national development.
“Our foreign visitors are coming to interface with our local producers so that our products can attract more attention and get the real value,’’ Ogu said.
Similarly, Lawrence Nzenagu, National President, Association of Nigerian Inventors (ANI) said that the trade fair would serve as a platform for inventors to make positive impressions.
Nzenagu, however, appealed to various state governments and the corporate bodies to support inventors with a view to promoting knowledge and creating employment and wealth.
He said that made-in-Nigeria products were receiving global acceptance due to improved qualities thus the need to stimulate increased patronage.
According to him, the trade fair will provide a platform for the inventors and artisans to deepen their market and improve the quality of the goods produced locally.
He said, “The trade fair would be a celebration of success in the advancement of inventions and Nigerian made products”.
