Yar'Adua to kick-start 2009 Lagos International Fair today
By Babatola Adeyemi
THE 2009 edition of the yearly Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) kicks off today in Lagos, with President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua scheduled to declare it open.
The theme of the 10-day event, which holds at the purpose-built LITF complex on Lagos-Badagry expressway, is "turning the global economic crisis into new opportunities."
The spokesman of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Tope Oluwaleye disclosed to The Guardian that no fewer than 100 foreign exhibitors and 300 local ones were expected at the fair, which is expected to attract not less than one and a half million visitors.
The Vice Chairman of the chamber, Mr Goodie Ibru had earlier assured that this year's fair would be better than previous ones.
Buttressing this, Ibru said that unlike previous ones where only one hall of the complex was used, more halls would be used this year. The chamber had also gone the extra mile, he added, to ensure a much higher number of exhibitors.
Indeed, the chamber's Deputy Director General, Mr Muda Yusuf, confirmed that the chamber contacted most of the embassies in the country in pursuit of the above.
Ibru, who is also the Chairman of LCCI's Trade Promotion Board, described the theme of the fair as apt, because, according to him, a recession period also provides ample business opportunities.
According to him: "A lot of entrepreneurs are having challenges at the moment because of the meltdown, so to speak. But it also creates an opportunity. It is now that you have to create increased awareness of what you produce-be it goods or services. And Nigeria, being a big market in Africa, fits the case perfectly.
"You cannot get a better platform than the international trade fair. That is why we believe that there would be a tremendous interest by exhibitors in taking advantage of this year's trade fair".
Corroborating Ibru, Yusuf said the global economic crisis would not impact negatively on this year's fair.
"Instead, it will only help in boosting the fair, because more people are looking for new markets and also looking unto Africa to boost their sales".
Indeed, there are indications that the global economic crisis may not constrain the fair, going by the innovations and the list of countries that have registered for the fair.
For instance, for the first time since the fair started in 1981, a 'Glitterglow Tent' -a state-of-the art exhibition platform-would be unveiled at the fair. The tent is an expansive 2,250 square-metre modern facility with a capacity to accommodate 5, 000 people for a cocktail-type event or 2,500 people for a banquet-type one.
The Managing Director of Glitterglow Tent, Mr Olabisi Ojo, said the tent would be a unique brand enhancer at this year's fair, because of the facilities it provides, like air-conditioner, beautiful furnishing and modern toilet facilities, among others.
Some of the countries expected at the fair include Thailand, China, Pakistan, Taiwan, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Cote d' Ivoire, and Senegal.
Meanwhile, Afribank has assured that it would provide full banking transactions at the fair.
According to the bank's Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr Moshood Ishamotu: "The bank's on line real time services will be at hand to enable customers across the country to deposit, transfer and withdraw funds with ease.
"Other banking services such as cash collection, opening of accounts at concessionary terms, draft issuance, sale of educational forms, receipt of payment for taxes and free financial advisory services will also be available at the bank's stand".
