The Lagos State government has announced plans to boost the export of Made-in-Nigeria products, noting that the present administration is working with various stakeholders to position products and services in the State for increased export.
The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Jaji, at the closing ceremony of this year’s Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF), said its efforts are yielding the desired result, as Lagos has become a compelling brand that no investor or business can ignore.
He said the challenge of benchmarking the state against global best practices, making it a model for others to follow is a very herculean task, but achievable.
“Our administration has done a lot to improve the business environment through the implementation of business-friendly policies to improve the ease of doing business in the state, making available incentives and our unrelenting commitment to infrastructural development and renewal. Today, construction works are ongoing in all parts of the state.
“Some of these are already facilitating the intra-city and inter-State exchange of goods and services,” he said.
He added that the realities of the time have placed on the State government the responsibility of creating and harnessing opportunities through improved private sector participation to accelerate economic growth, create more jobs for the teeming youths and enhance its revenue-generating capacity.
“We will continue to work hard and implement innovative and creative ideas driven by technology to meet your expectations and the aspirations of Lagosians for a greater Lagos that is functional, productive, safe, secure and provides limitless opportunities for all,” he added.
Also speaking, The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs Lola Akande, stated the need for deliberate and meaningful engagement with key stakeholders in order to enhance an understanding of the positive impacts of networking in business.
“This can form a basis for continuous assessment of the benefits, and development of a strategic roadmap towards its long-term implementation while drawing on the strength of e-Commerce or digital marketing. These will help to reduce overhead cost, increase profit and create more wealth among other benefits,” she said.
She added that the Sanwo-Olu administration is also creating public value for entrepreneurs in an environment that is becoming more unstable, uncertain, complex and ambiguous due to world economic challenges.
The president, of LCCI, Asiwaju Michael Olawale-Cole, expressed hopes that governments at all levels would continue to address the issues of enabling the environment in the country, especially as regards infrastructures, insecurity, and the right policies to fix the key drivers of high inflation.
“We need to do this in order to fully harness the huge enterprising resources of domestic and foreign investors for the diversification of our economy and the welfare of our people,” he said.
He stated that despite the numerous challenges that go with hosting a large exhibition like this, it has endeavoured to ensure a hitch-free and successful fair.
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