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The Nigerian - American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), says its 2024 edition of the Africa Foods & Products Exhibition, themed “Actualising Sustainable Economic Growth’ – “Think Global, Be Local” will take place in April.
The President of NACC, Mrs Adebola Williams, stated this when she briefed the press on the forthcoming event in Lagos.
“The NACC facilitates bilateral trade between the USA and Nigeria through networking, advocacy, and investments. Our focus is on SMEs and micro-enterprises, providing platforms for business connections, profile building, and exploring global opportunities. We emphasise the transformation of Nigerian products into finished goods for export, aiming to maximise revenue.
“The chamber engages with policymakers to address business growth concerns and act as a link between Nigerian and American businesses,” said Williams.
The Acting Director-General of NACC, Ms Wofai Samuel, highlighted that the platform would enable Nigerian businesses and SMEs across Africa at large to foster partnerships with similar businesses operating across their niches, connect with importers, producers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers.
“The opportunity reinforces Nigeria’s position as the biggest market in Africa and will create new entry paths for emerging products.
“We look forward to the influx of visitors not just in Nigeria, but in other parts of the continent and the success of this edition will re-echo the Chamber’s position as indeed foremost for promoting intra-African trade,” she stated.
The Chairman of the African Foods & Products Exhibition Committee, Ayo Stuffman, remarked that the exhibition would be a platform for Nigerian businesses, both members and non-members, to showcase their products.
The Vice Chairman of the African Foods & Products Exhibition Committee, Mrs Yemisi Ogundipe, added that the theme was apt considering the current situation of the Nigerian economy.
She stated that the chamber has identified that many businesses are facing challenges, possibly due to government policies and other factors, nothing that it is essential to ensure the sustainability of businesses, as they are a crucial component of the economy.”
She stressed the importance of SMEs thriving, noting that many disappear within five years.
“The NACC aims to make them sustainable and uses the exhibition to inform business owners about the Nigerian economy’s current state and how to achieve gradual, sustainable growth.
“As a chamber, we urge Nigerian business owners to think globally due to foreign investment interests in our economy,” she declared.
