Local Content Needs Govt Support- Patrick Agbaza
The Managing Director of Pazino Transnational Integrated Services, Patrick Agbaza, has joined the league of those calling on the Federal and State governments to support local content.
Agbaza made the call on the sidelines of the Homex Interior Decor, design and Furniture Exhibition (Homex) which was held in Lagos recently.
He said the call has become inevitable going by the current economic trend in the country.
This, he said is the only way to support the human capital development which President Bola Tinubu said is the greatest asset of Nigeria
Mr Patrick Agbaza, Managing Director of Pazino Transnational Integrated Services Ltd, the major sponsor of Homex said that ” the support of both Federal and state government has become imperative because the private sector cannot do it alone”.
Mr Agbaza, the Managing Director of Pazino Homes & Gardens, Pazino Engineering and Construction and Pazino Interior Designs opined that “The foreign companies and firms from China, Turkey and India exhibitors here at Homex can make it because they have support from their home governments”.
Agbaza stated “If Nigeria does the same for us by sponsoring private firms to participate in foreign exhibitions such as we are doing, it will enhance our feasibility and product market penetration”
“As you can see, international exhibitors are here from Turkey, China and India. Their governments support them, they have incentives. That is why they are here.” Agbaza observed.
Commenting on the theme of the exhibition, ” Sustainability of Home Interior Design in West Africa”, the Managing Director of Atlantic Exhibition Ltd, the organizer of Homex, Mr Paul Olugbade disclosed that” it is to engage the manufacturers of products and bring them together with distributors and local representatives.”
He added: “It is an international exhibition whereby they bring their products, to meet with distributors and engage as well as network to become partners across the border.
Mr Olugbade noted that “Nigeria is still developing and some of these products are not here. We will engage them until they can bring their products at affordable prices. It is a business forum.”
However, he said that much as the exhibitors would have loved to come, some of them cancelled their participation at the last minute due to the current exchange rate which has become volatile since the new administration came into being.
” The economic impact has taken its toll on the overall attendance as well as participation.
“We planned this exhibition late last year and early this year.
We did not envisage the exchange rate would be this high. Some of them had to reconsider their participation. That is why you have some empty boots.
“In all, it has been a good putting as we have over 70 exhibitors and companies.
Next year will be better as things will have stabilised.”
The Atlantic Exhibition is the organiser of BUILDMACEX, building construction and machinery and the Nigerian Fashion Exhibition.