Yemisi Izuora
The president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Dr. Nike Akande has said that the confidence expressed by both local and foreign businesses at the just concluded Lagos International Trade Fair, was a clear testimony of potentials that abound in the country.
Akande in her remarks to bring the fair to a close said the exciting business interactions during the fair affirmed the partnerships that begin to emerge soon.
She said that in spite of the evident limitations of the business environment and the state of the economy, the fair was a huge success.
“Let me acknowledge the impressive cooperation and support we received from all concerned as well as the peace that prevailed since the beginning of the event, ten days ago.
It is heart-warming to note that participants had rewarding business interactions during the fair. The Nigerian business community and foreign investors have again demonstrated confidence in the Nigerian economy.
I commend and appreciate their courage, resilience and optimism. It is our hope that the governments at all levels would address the numerous impediments to investment in the country, especially as regards infrastructures, policy framework, quality of institutions and funding.
We need to do this in order to harness the enterprising resource of domestic and foreign investors for the diversification of our economy and the welfare of our people” she remarked.
The president particularly appreciated the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for his amiable disposition and commitment to the promotion of close collaboration between the Lagos State Government and the organised Private Sector in Lagos State.
“We recognize his commitment to the creation of an enabling environment for the private sector in the Lagos State since his assumption of office.
The Lagos State Government is a worthy partner in progress and I am confident that this will continue to be so. Once again, we say a big thank you to Your Excellency for your support, cooperation and commitment to the creation of a conducive investment climate in the state” she noted.
Akande however appealed to the governor to facilitate construction of permanent fair stand for the Chamber considering the cost of make-shift exhibition stands.
She said, “Let me once again remind your excellency of our request for a permanent Trade Fair facility in Lagos. The exhibitors and ourselves are faced annually with the challenge of construction of many temporary structures and rental of tents for the fair. Most of these structures would be demolished or removed immediately after the fair.
The cost to us is horrendous. We have to provide virtually all the facilities from generators to mobile toilets. We seek your intervention in this respect”.