The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Friday said the 2022 Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) would be used to exploit the opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Engr. Keye Kupoluyi, Chairman, trade promotion board, LCCI, revealed this during a press conference in Lagos following the confirmation of attendance of many African countries.
The 2022 LITF is scheduled to hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos, from Nov. 4-13.
The theme of the event, which would be declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari is, “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value.”
The expo, according to Kupoluyi, would expand current foreign partnership relations to help African trade while boosting global and regional trade for start-up businesses, large industries, tech hubs, and multinational corporations.
He claimed that invitations had been sent to more than 50 nations, with interest in the fair confirmed for India, Japan, and Ghana, as well as advanced negotiations with Cote de Ivoire, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Zambia, and Indonesia.
He continued by saying that numerous business organizations, government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and operators in the private sector have shown their willingness to investigate the potential presented by this year’s trade show.
“About 54 countries have been invited to this year’s LITF and many of their ambassadors were visited, and 10 have already confirmed their participation while others are still processing their participation.
The LITF promises to be bigger, better and more beneficial for LITF, investors, foreign partners and the global economy.
“Our sponsors are ready such as the United Bank for Africa Plc, Dangote Group, Choice International Group (Makers of GREE Air-conditioners), MTN Nigeria, FEDAN Investment Ltd., De United Foods Ltd., Bank of Industry (BOI), and Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc are ready to take the centre stage.
“I assure you that this year’s event will be far better, bigger, safer and more prosperous for all of us largely because the global pandemic which had impacted negatively on the fair in the past two editions has now been effectively curtailed,” he said.
According to Kupoluyi, the event will be held at the cricket pitch area due to the confirmed increase in attendees and exhibitors, which will provide more room to accommodate exhibitors’ needs as well as greater opportunities for better logistics and ambiance.
We plan to have an ICT hall again this year to give our partners and other industry players the importance, visibility, and commercial prospects they deserve.
“For the first time in the history of the LITF, insulated panels shall be provided for our exhibitors and a children’s corner to celebrate Christmas with interactions with father Christmas and lots of gifts is part of the trade fair package this year,” he said.
A further prediction made by Dr. Chinyere Almona, Director-General of the LCCI, was that the fair will ensure that enterprises exceeded their sales goals, increased trade volume, removed market limitations, and integrated wider markets for more investment.
According to her, LITF will support the AfCFTA agenda in order to help important African markets interact with other nations.
