With an investment of over N50billion and installed capacity of two hundred million litres of assorted paints annually, the paints makers are preparing for a future in the light of the recently signed African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
They are readying ahead of future developments in the manufacture and sale of paints, developments in raw materials for industry and a host of other issues.
In the light of this, the Paint Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMA), an association of companies engaged in the manufacturing of paints and allied products throughout Nigeria, will hold the sixth edition of its bi-annual raw materials, equipment and paints exhibition tagged ‘PMA Nigeria 2019 Coatings Show’ from Monday, October 28, to Tuesday, October 29, at Sheba Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.
The two-day event is intended to showcase the array of raw materials, machinery, production and testing equipment as well as packaging materials used in the production of paints, inks and allied products.
Abimbolu S. Babatunde, chairman, PMA, while speaking with newsmen in Lagos, said the event will provide a platform for all the players in the paint value chain to exchange ideas on current developments on raw materials, equipment and technology for paint manufacturing.
“Made-in-Nigeria paint products will also be on display,” he said.
In choosing this year’s theme, ‘Future Trends in Coatings Technology’, Babatunde said the global trend in paint manufacturing was taken into consideration, adding that it was more important to domesticate it to the need of paint manufacturers in Nigeria ahead of future developments in the manufacture and sale of paints, and developments in raw materials for industry.
Babatunde equally noted that one of the major challenges members of the association have been facing over the years was the problem of adulteration and faking of premium brands of their products, which have negatively affected their volumes, profitability and returns on investments.
He said this year’s show would make the local paint manufacturers be in tune with the global requirements in safety, environment and quality, while equally exploring avenues to penetrate other markets outside Nigeria by leveraging on the recently signed AfCFTA.
Exhibitors from over 12 countries are expected to participate in the conference while paper presentations would be made by academics, government agencies and ministries, regulators, professionals and industrialists.
PMA is a sub-sector of the Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals sectoral group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).
Established in 1980, PMA has over two hundred registered members.
The AfCFTA seeks to liberalise trade among African countries. It is targeted at a ‘borderless’ Africa, with an eye on a single market for goods and services on the continent.
ODINAKA ANUDU
