Head of Corporate Communications, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Sunday Osanyintuyi (left); Vice President, LCCI/Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Abimbola Olashore; Chief Executive Officer, The Guardian Newspapers, Toke Alex-Ibru; Acting Head, Trade Promotion, Pastor Sola Oluwadare, and Assistant Manager, Trade Promotion, Damilola Matthew, during a courtesy visit by the Chamber to The Guardian headquarters in Lagos¦ yesterday. PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

Vice President and Chairperson, Trade Promotion Board of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Abimbola Olashore, has said this years edition of Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF), would unlock new trade and better business opportunities for local businesses in the country.

Olashore rolled out the grand plan during a courtesy visit by the chamber to The Guardian head office in Lagos, yesterday. He was accompanied by the Acting Head, Trade Promotions, LCCI, Sola Oluwadare; Manager, Trade Promotions Board, Damilola Matthew; and the Head, Corporate Communications, Sunday Osanyintuyi.

Revealing that the yearly fair was now in its 38th edition, he said the flagship event would hold in the first week of November for 10 days, and free for all to attend.

Recounting how the business fair started, Olashore said it was initiated by the Federal Government, when the states first trade fair complex was built along Badagry Expressway and had held successfully in subsequent years.

He said: We have stepped out fully from the COVID-19 era and while virtual fairs were a stop-gap, it cannot be compared to a physical fair that has business-to-business, and business-to-consumers meetings and so on. This fair is a unique opportunity for businesses to not only market and sell their goods but also create awareness, launch new products into the market and shape business trends.

Revealing that last years edition was a huge success, he said international partners that previously left had returned.

We had the Chinese and Japanese pavilions and the African hall that catered to several African countries. We see how fairs are organised all over the world and we want to build on these experiences to put up a world-class event. Many countries and businesses have realised that Nigeria is the biggest market in Africa and know that if they want to succeed in this market, they must work with us.

Pointing out that both the Federal and state governments were eager to show that the country was ready and willing to welcome businesses, he said they were keying into this to show that the country was indeed willing to welcome new businesses into the economy.

Adding that they were in partnership with major manufacturers, who would also be present, he said new products and ideas would be birthed later this year.

Aside from trade activities, the fair will have an entertainment village, targeted towards families. There will also be a childrens fair within the main fair, targeted at teaching children commerce and business. There will also be specialised fairs within the 10 days, such as an ICT fair and other niche sectors that will be catered to, he said.

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