By Azeez Disu

Brands operating in various industries who participated in this year’s Lagos International Trade Fair reported that they made a lot of sales, increased their customer base, and got some potential investors despite the economic challenges facing the country which has forced many consumers to reduce their spending habits.

Also, despite the challenges, consumers still trooped to the fair, although some observers said the population might not be compared to the previous years where you have more window shoppers than those willing to buy instantly. However, according to some brands Brand Times spoke to, they made more sales than the previous years and they also increased their consumer base.

Also, some of the government agencies presents said they were able to reach more people with their various sanitization campaigns.

The 10-day trade fair in its 36th edition started on November 4th and ended on 13th, 2022. The fair is organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

One of the excited exhibitors is the Trade Commissioner and Managing Director of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Takuma Taninami who said that the Japanese companies that participated at the fair recorded high patronage.

According to Taninami, the Japan pavilion attracted over 23,000 visitors from various products, services, and technologies exhibited with over 1,000 B2B discussions recorded within the duration of the fair.

“The Japan pavilion has a very successful close today. We welcomed over 23,000 visitors to our Japan pavilion. We are expecting for next year maybe over 35,000,” he disclosed on the last day of the trade fair.”

He promised to bring more Japanese brands to the fair next year.

Similarly, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbattaduring NCC Day held at the trade fair said “Over the years, the NCC has continued to be a strategic partner of LCCI, as the Commission leverages the trade fair platform to engage telecoms consumers and business owners, who are based in this region of the country and have been relying on digital platforms for carrying out their daily personal and official activities more efficiently and effectively.’

He added that “Partnering with LCCI through our special “NCC Day” event has always been a pleasure for us at the Commission, as it usually provides a veritable platform for interaction with telecoms stakeholders, especially our esteemed telecoms consumers.”

Some of the other brands that participated at the trade fair are MTN, Rite Foods, Grand Oak, Peak Milk, Multichoice, Mobil (11PLC), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Sona Group, Amber energy drink, Eleganza, Dangote, Lush Hair, Johnvents Nigeria, Lifemate Furnitures, Leadway Pensure, and Dufil amongst others.

The representative of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Sherifat Jaji, applauded the organisers for their consistency in uplifting the trade in the state.

She also stated that the fair remains a contributor to the economic growth of the state as it further reinforces its leadership on the continent. She pointed out that the Sanwo-Olu administration will continue to support the fair and other initiatives that will boost the commerce of the state.

Meanwhile, Engr. Abiola Olowu, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives said the fair has been a valuable platform for businesses and the reasons brands and consumers yearly troop to the fair, stating “where value goes, profit goes”. 

He, therefore, urged businesses to continue to create value and engage with their key stakeholders, pointing out that the state government will continue to create enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

The President of LCCI, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole called on governments at all levels to address the issues of enabling the environment in the country as he promised that the fair will continue to evolve and next year it will be bigger and more colourful.

The Chairman, Trade Promotion Board of LCCI, Engr. Leye Kupoluyi on his part thanked all the participating brands, sponsors, and government parastatals for making the event a success.

In his words, “We thank all the government agencies that contributed to the success of the fair. They include the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Army, the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), Lagos State Central Business Development (CBD), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). We also thank the fire service and ambulances from Mecure, CBD Response, and Saint Nicholas Hospital.

“Distinguished Ladies & Gentlemen, on behalf of the Council, Members, and the Trade Promotion Board, I have the pleasure to appreciate our partners including the Africa Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Dangote Group, the Choice International Group, MTN Nigeria, the Bank of Industry, FEDAN Investments Limited, Mikano International Plc, Lifemate Furnitures, NEXIM, etc.”