200 Foreign Firms To Participate in 2011 Lagos Trade Fair– LCCI

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Thursday said that about 200 foreign firms would participate in this year’s Lagos International Trade Fair which begins on November 4.

Chief Femi Deru, President of LCCI, told journalists on Thursday in Lagos that the 200 firms were coming from 12 countries.

Deru said that the increase in the number of participating countries from eight was due to the aggressive marketing and confidence the countries had in the nation’s economy.

He said that participants had also discovered the trade fair to be a tool for boosting bilateral trade and economic integration among participating countries.

The LCCI boss said that the participants would be showcasing products on IT, agriculture, pottery, textile, generating sets and cosmetics, among others.

He said that many state governments would also be participating to woo foreign direct investors to their states.

Deru advised multinationals and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to seize this opportunity to showcase their products.

He said that the fair would hold in nine exhibition halls and the adjoining outdoor spaces and that over 80 per cent of spaces had been booked.

On security, he said that Close Circuit Television (CCTV) had been installed in all the nooks and crannies of the exhibition halls.

“We have engaged the services of a reputable security firm to work in close collaboration with the Nigeria Police while the CCTV will complement their efforts,” he said.

Deru said that arrangements had been concluded with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to ensure free-flow of traffic in the area.

According to him, LAGBUS will provide shuttle services to ease movement of commuters in and out of the trade fair complex.

He also assured the participants of uninterrupted power supply and clean environment.