NACCIMA sees rising demand for tech expertise in fabrication, chemicals

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has said that there is an increasing demand for technological expertise in metal fabrication, chemicals, petrochemicals and other manufacturing sub-sectors, urging exhibitors to tap into these spaces.

NACCIMA said this going at a 4-in-1 international exhibition organised by an international firm called ELAN in Lagos.

“There is an increasing demand for technological expertise in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector in key areas such as metal fabrication; chemical/petrochemicals; iron, steel and non-metallic building materials; biotechnology; plant and machinery manufacture; aircraft, ship and train building; long fibre pulp and kraft paper production; food processing, leather and leather products,” said Bassey Edem, president, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), who was represented by Tunji Olukoya, executive committee member of the association.

Edem told exhibitors that there were good opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, solid minerals, construction, and manufacturing in Nigeria, saying that demography of 170 million was an opportunity waiting to be tapped.

“With such a large population, food security and sufficiency is topmost on the country’s agenda. As such, opportunities abound in the agricultural sector for mechanised farming, storage and distribution of agricultural produce for local consumption and export,” he said.

Jude Chime, project coordinator of the 4-in-1 international exhibition in Lagos, said that Nigeria could have new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows by the first quarter of 2017, given the number of deals that were sealed at the exhibition which ended on Friday.

He said over sixty companies from 12 different countries participated at the exhibition

“We believe we should have a lot of people coming into Nigeria to set up companies and with that, we are going to have jobs being created,” he said, adding that manufacturers and firms from Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, China and Greece, among others, were among the exhibitors.

Otunba Femi Oke, chairman, All Farmers Association, Lagos State Chapter, said the Federal Government needed to help farmers buy some of heavy-duty equipment at the exhibition, stressing that now was the time for Nigerians to go into agroprocessing to make money and help in economic expansion targets.