By Charles Nwaoguji
Lagos State governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo- Olu has promised to put up a permanent ultra modern trade fair and exhibition complex for the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( LCCI)
The governor made the promise at the closing ceremony of the 33rd edition of the Lagos international Trade fair which ended yesterday.
The president , who was represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Dr Lola Akande, admitted that the complex which LCCO adopted was not totally ideal, he said it was a temporary structure which had to be put up to stage the fair for exhibitors, only to be dismantled after each fair, thus adding to the cost of exhibition for participants.
He said the proposed complex would befit the status of the state.
The governor further challenged entrepreneurs and business men to go all out and leverage on the opportunities provided by this years fair with the new business connections registered. believing that the economy will witness new value addition and overall socio economic development.
The governor applauded the LCCI president, Babatunde Ruwase, for a successful fair, acclaimed to be the biggest fair organised by the chamber.
He saluted the sagacity and ingenuity of members of the chamber for being consistent and unrelenting partners in the business of ensuring good policy direction for economic prosperity not only for Lagos but Nigeria at large.
Earlier, president of the chamber commended the Lagos state government for their support and asked for more . He also called on investors to always patronise the trade fair as that was a better way to promote medium small and micro businesses.
Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu said he wil continue to liase with public private machinery to develop new business opportunities
He said in spite of the challenges of the new government, he approved the the sponsorship of MSMEs to give them the opportunity to exhibit alongside big and multinational companies.
He noted that the fair was a significant forum, through which the people and government of the state showcased the policies and projects, which are the cultural heritage and power of lucrative investment opportunities to the local and international business community.
He promised that in line with his commitment of making Lagos a 24th century economy, he would continue to support and build o the legacies of his predecessors by supporting growth of the local economy by improving the ease of doing business, providing easy access to finance, reposition the public service to better support businesses and accelerate infrastructure interventions.