ABUJA, AUGUST 9, 2016 – The Ministry of Trade and Investment has endorsed the forthcoming 11th Abuja International Trade Fair to achieve the rapid diversification of Nigeria’s economy in the shortest possible time.The President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Mr Tony Ejinkeonye, said this in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday.
The trade fair, entitled “Make it in Nigeria’’ , will begin on Sept. 22 and end Oct. 8 in Abuja.
Ejinkeonye said the chamber had recently got the endorsement of the Ministry of Trade and Investment to partner on the forthcoming trade fair.
He said the ministry acted in line with President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment and determination to achieve the rapid diversification of Nigeria’s economy in the shortest possible time.
According to him, it is aimed at achieving self-sufficiency with Nigeria producing most of the items currently on its import list.
“The trade fair theme: Make it in Nigeria, is predicated on the need to buttress that the Nigerian government is now fully committed to economic diversification and to confirm that most of the things on our import bills can be produced here in Nigeria.’’
ACCI president recalled that the global economic collapse in 2008 had become an eye-opening experience for many people.
“The ongoing economic crisis in Nigeria continues to create more joblessness at a time when the cost of essential items like food and energy continues to rise.
“The price shocks in oil and other commodities have led many countries to begin taking measures to become more self-sufficient.
And Indeed, becoming more self-sufficient is proving to make common sense whether one anticipates more hardship to come or not,’’ he said.
