Nigeria’s capacity to successfully tame the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is driving international traffic on the forthcoming 2014 Lagos International Trade Fair, as foreign participation keeps increasing by the day. Over 200,000 participants are consequently expected at the fair, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said.
The success story has gone ahead to assure international traders who wish to sample their products and meet new business opportunities in the country that the fair, which will be held between November 7 and 16, 2014, will be a huge success. The fair is billed to take place at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos and has the theme, “Promoting the Nigerian Economy as a Preferred Investment Destination.”
Michael Olawale-Cole, chairman, trade promotion board, LCCI, who is coordinating the trade fair said the chamber has confirmed registration from exhibitors from China, Japan, Taiwan, Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and India, stressing that the recognition of the country as the biggest economy has also impacted positively on the fair.
“The Lagos International Trade Fair is enjoying more popularity and patronage by the day within the international business community,” Olawale-Cole said, during a media briefing on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to him, the chamber has provided indoor halls for the fair, having acquired two large marquee tents measuring a total of 4,500 square metres, to provide high quality and standard halls for exhibitors, adding that the tents will come with new air conditioners and flooring materials that will provide good ambience for exhibitors.
Olawale-Cole said plans were underway to ensure regular electricity supply. Though the chamber is having discussions with Eko Distribution Company for efficient public power supply, stand-by generators will be provided. There will also be complete ‘sectorialisation’ of the fair as each sector will be allocated its own section at the fair, while there shall be provision of multiple security points within the trade fair arena to ensure adequate security. Already the chamber has engaged the services of a reputable security firm, which will work in collaboration with the police, the Federal Fire Service and other agencies to ensure adequate security.
Also, CCTV cameras are available for the fair, while the police anti-bomb and anti-terrorism units will be deployed to the venue of the fair, Olawale-Cole said. He further stressed that there will be free training programme for all exhibitors to improve their capacities on how best to maximise participation at the fair.
Although Ebola has been successfully tamed, the chamber also put in place measures to ensure high level of environmental, hygienic and sanitary standards before and during the fair, as there will be no participation from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone or any other country with proven cases of the disease.
ODINAKA ANUDU
