By Henry  UMORU
THE Federal government reiterated yesterday that if Nigeria must achieve the set target of becoming one of the top twenty largest economies of the world, there was the need for the promotion of value added export of locally produced goods.

Speaking yesterday while inaugurating a 20-member planning committee for the successful host of the Nigerian International Trade Exhibition (NITEX), Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senetor. Jubril Martins-Kuye who urged members of the committee was to work out modalities for the organisation of a very successful and quality exhibition of Made-in-Nigeria goods under a public private sector partnership arrangement.

According to him, “the expectation is the promotion of value added export of our indigenous products and generation of additional foreign exchange for the country as we strongly believe that the event (Nigerian
International Trade exhibition) will also serve an avenue to generate sale and increase the overall awareness for the basket of exportable products from Nigeria.

“There is no doubt that trade shows, fairs and exhibitions are powerful marketing medium that are often used to attract thousands of investors and visitors as well as a good platform for match making required for the actualization of our shared vision, plan and programme.

“There is no doubt also  that NITEX will provide a life-long opportunity for our  industrialists, small and medium scale entrepreneurs among other businesses, to take advantage of the benefits offered by this event  which is scheduled to hold in November this year”.

Earlier in his speech, the Technical Assistant to the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Babatunde Faleke said NITEX was a public private partnership initiative geared towards streamlining and giving new face to management of trade fair in Nigeria.

“The trade fair as it is presently done in Nigeria is no longer having a national identity as we have Enugu, Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja trade fair to mention but a few. Apart from that, it is no longer unique, so, there is need to change the basis of organizing trade fair”.

The committee has its membership drawn from ministry of Commerce and Industry; Agric and Water Resources; Foreign Affairs; information and Communication; Nigeria Customs Services; Immigration Services; Nigerian Export  Promotion Council; Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and  Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority.

Others are the Raw Materials Research Development Council; Bank of Industry; NEXIM bank; Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN); ABUCCIMA; SON; Export group and OATFirm Nigeria limited (representing the Private sector).