By Bennett Oghifo
Stakeholders, governments and companies have been urged to support motor exhibitions/fairs because they are critical to the development of the auto sector.
The Chairman, Organising Committee, Managing Director BKG Exhibitions Limited Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu stated this at the ongoing 13th Lagos Motor & 7th Autoparts Expo Africa held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island-Lagos, this week.
According to Agwu, “To be able to give Nigeria this befitting show we need the support of the Federal and Lagos State governments, companies that operate in the sector as well as other stakeholders. This support is important because exhibitions/fairs are one of the key drivers of rapid development of the sector and most importantly, no serious investment in this key sector is a waste, rather the multiplier positive effects are unquantifiable.â€
He said, “I therefore urge individuals, public and private sectors to take the advantage of this once in a year gathering to see all that the industry offers in the nation and make best use of them. Â
“For all the stakeholders, we need to have unity of purpose; celebrate this event as is done globally, to showcase our potentials and capabilities. It should be an event that we all should always support and make the best of. These would help in unleashing the required synergies to enhance the development of the sector for the good and benefit of all.
“I call on the Government to urgently address the myriads of challenges confronting the industry as doing so is the lasting secret to the nation coming out of the vicious cycle economic underdevelopment. This is based on empirical evidences of the potentials of the industry as it continuously plays strategic and catalytic roles in economic development; especially in the areas of employment generation, increasing Gross Domestic Product, Small and Medium Enterprises development; which are key to robust economic development.
“Nigeria is very important to the global automotive business as virtually all brands in the industry compete to enter and capture the market. The nation obviously need to have internationally recognised auto shows to help in showcasing and opening this important market and its potentials to attract the much desired investments to develop the sector.â€
He said, “We are here today because by the grace of God we have resolved that no matter the challenges, the Nigerian road transport and automotive sector must be celebrated and showcased for its abundant potentials. We will always use our platforms to showcase the best that are in Nigeria, which this key sector is one of them.Â
“The central theme of this edition is: New products; best solutions; more options,†this is informed by the fact that the enormous challenges facing the sector in recent times notwithstanding, we must produce, market and promote our [new] products which are the best solutions to the logistics needs of the people and government and are also the best to fast-tracking economic diversification and development in Nigeria. The various brand new products/services on display in this unique event as well as in the entire section are multiple options to satisfying our individual, corporate and even public automotive needs.
“In conjunction with our foreign partners: SENEXPO International Fairs Inc of Turkey and others, we have brought many Original Equipment Manufacturers of Autoparts, Accessories, Lubricant, Financial Institutions and others to participate in this edition. This will help our people and even government work out rewarding and lasting business relationships with these companies engaged in the manufacture of these products and services.
“Our dear participants I commend you all for making it to this edition. This shows that your products and services are the best solutions that give more options to existing and potential customers to meeting their automotive needs. I wish you the best as you utilise this event to increase your enviable stake in the largest automotive market in Sub-Sahara Africa.â€
