Catch up with the news!

By Franklin Alli
INDICATIONS have  emerged that the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is set to revive specialised trade exhibitions in the country.

Comparatively, in countries like China, Hong Kong , Germany, and South Africa more than 30 specialised fairs are being held annually.

LCCI, it would be recalled, has been organising the premier Lagos International Trade Fair in Nigeria since 1986 after taking it over from the Federal Government that started it in 1981.

In 1995, the LCCI introduced Specialised Exhibition and in the mid 2006 an exhibition that focused on Foods, Drinks, Drugs and Agricultural sector of the economy was held.

The innovation did not thrive because of poor publicity coupled with the fact that Nigerians are not used to specialised expos.

Vanguard’s investigation, revealed that eventually, LCCI  went back to the drawing board,  repackaged and rolled out specialised exhibitions .

Said Public Relations Manager, LCCI , Tope Oluwaleye: “In a novel departure from its organisation of the much-acclaimed annual Lagos International Trade Fair, the LCCI has concluded plans to host its first exhibition on Fashion, Textile, Footwear and Cosmetics. The fair is scheduled to hold from June 10 to 16, 2009 at LCCI’s ultra-modern Exhibition and Conference Centre, Plot 10, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Drive , Central Business District, Alausa, near MKO Abiola Gardens in Ikeja”

“The organisation of trade fairs and exhibitions is part of the Chamber’s objective of promoting private sector development. In its pursuit of the desire to expose the potentials of companies in various sub-sectors, the LCCI recently resolved to organise a minimum of three Specialised Exhibitions annually.

“The first of such is the 2009 Fashion and Accessories, Textile, Footwear and Cosmetics Exhibition which is expected to showcase significant improvements in the packaging, production process and manufacturing of products within the relative sub-sectors,”he stated.

According to the Chairman, Trade Promotion Board of the LCCI, Mr. Goodie Ibru, among other objectives, the exhibition is also aimed at promoting Made-in-Nigeria goods and to project prospects for local and foreign private investment in the Fashion Industry.

When viewed  from the perspective of export opportunities, the various economic and trade agreements entered into by Nigeria both at bilateral and multilateral levels, the enormous opportunities for export development abound.
It is against this background that the Lagos Chamber recognizes the staging of Trade Fair/Exhibition as a potent trade promotion strategy and will therefore continue to provide the necessary facilities at world standard to encourage participation and exploitation of benefits from such programmes.

Since inception, the Specialized Exhibition is usually supported by the Nigerian Government and is usually well attended by multinational companies and government agencies seeking new ideas, inventions and innovations necessary for the attainment of the objectives for which they are set up.

This magnificent Edifice is available both to foreign mission as well as local organizers to stage solo exhibition at an affordable rate.