The 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair (LIFT) which commenced on November 1st has promised to showcase the best Nigerian entrepreneurship and ingenuity as well as the diversity and richness of the Nigerian global economic partnerships.
Taking place at the historical and the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, the fair, which has as its enduring central theme, “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value,“ is scheduled to run through to Sunday, November 10th, 2024.
Giving the welcome address at the opening ceremony, the President, Lagos, Chamber Of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, FCA, said “this year’s fair embodies our mantra of “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value”as we continue to build bridges that empower businesses, create job opportunities, and deliver value for communities, consumers, and citizens alike.”
Idahosa, said that this year’s fair, which is the 38th edition, marks yet another remarkable milestone in the collective journey to foster economic cooperation, strengthen industry networks, and enhance business connectivity within Nigeria and beyond.
He assured that this year’s trade fair will ignite new ideas, create lasting partnerships, and be a testament to the power of unity in pursuing economic transformation.
He said “This year’s fair holds special significance as Nigeria navigates an era of economic adjustment marked by challenges and opportunities. From the disrupting pressures of inflation rates to a volatile foreign exchange market, our economy has faced complex policy options that have pushed businesses across all sectors to build resilience, innovate, and build collaborative networks for survival. As an incubator of ideas and a catalyst for commerce, the Lagos International Trade Fair stands as a beacon of opportunity, offering enterprises the platform to showcase resilience-driven solutions, explore synergies, and drive sustainable growth in Nigeria and the wider region.”
The LCCI Boss appreciated the Nigerian government for its continued support over the years towards the success of the Fair, saying that “government’s participation in the fair is a practical show of commitment to empowering the private sector to produce for local consumption and export. The Fair has also become a veritable platform where state governments and federal parastatals showcase the investment opportunities in their states and programmes of impact.”
He also appreciated the sponsors, partners, and exhibitors of the fair, noting that the Lagos International Trade Fair has blossomed over the years, thanks mainly to their contributions, saying also that the LCCI is excited to strengthen these bonds further as it works toward mutual progress and prosperity.
While encouraging each participant to make the most of the opportunities at the fair to engage, connect, and create wealth, the LCCI Boss reiterated the Chambers’s commitment to providing a dynamic platform that fosters business networking, explores new market opportunities, and encourages partnerships to generate value across the economy.
Idahosa assured that this year’s trade fair will feature various specialised exhibitions and events that will provide exhibitors with a tailored platform to reach their ideal audiences, ranging from the Tech Hub which represents the forefront of the Chambers’s commitment to digital transformation, to the Africa Hall, which is a strategic platform aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The Africa Hall, according to Idahosa, is “one of our proudest accomplishments, providing a shared space where businesses from across the African continent can forge partnerships, establish trade networks, and accelerate intra-African trade. This hall serves as a gateway for new alliances that drive inclusive economic development across the continent. The Africa Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) supports the Africa Hall, which exemplifies our mission to create a unified and prosperous Africa.”
He also urged Nigerian businesses and entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity to network with the international exhibitors present, initiate distributorship deals, and foster trade agreements that will enhance their business value chains and diversify their product offerings. Measures put in place by the Chambers to ensure that all attendees, exhibitors, and visitors alike enjoy a safe, welcoming, and vibrant atmosphere this year include: subsidising exhibition spaces, as well as free entry to all visitors across the ten days of the event.
Olusola Akintonde
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