By Elizabeth Uwandu

THE effect of unavailability of foreign exchange to businesses and manufacturing sector will be the key focus of 2016 Business Luncheon of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of various companies under the Ikeja branch of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN.

Every year, industry captains under the branch gather to x-ray the challenges facing the manufacturers with a view to proffering possible solutions.

The event with the theme: “Manufacturing in a Depressed Economy: The Way Forward,” is scheduled to hold on Thursday, June 23, 2016.

A renowned economist and Managing Director, Abel Sell Ltd, Mr. Henry Boyo, will be featured as the guest speaker, while the branch chairman, Prince Oba Felix Okojie is expected to give the opening remarks.

In a statement, the Executive Secretary of the association, Mr. Joseph Emoleke, said: “The current foreign exchange crisis has adversely affected the manufacturing sector of the economy leading to downsizing and outright closure of companies. This is because, manufacturing firms can no longer access foreign exchange to bring in raw materials and machines needed for production.”