BY : AYO ESAN.
The 2019 Retail Sourcing Fair and China Brand Show which kicked off last Tuesday at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos and which featured over 250
manufacturers across various sectors from China and other manufacturers from sub- Saharan African countries came to a close Thursday evening with participants commending the organisers for putting up a hitch – free event.
The China Brand Show and Retail Sourcing Fair was put together by
Leoht Africa and Atlantic Exhibition.
Leoht Africa which established its office in Lagos in September 2018 has a mission of providing route to market, market penetration and expansion Strategies. It is also a leading Consultant in Sub – Saharan Africa and has worked with many of the leading global players.
Leoht Africa which has Bunmi Aliu as its Executive Director has over the past years successfully collaborated and worked with sales promotion organisations from across the world exclusively in Sub – Saharan Africa offerring insight and access into African market and bringing export and sustainable partnership throughout the region.
Atlantic Exhibition has also been a leading organiser of successfull exhibitions in Nigeria over the years.
Speaking with the National Monitor at the China Brand Show Stand , one of the exhibitors, the Sales Manager of Keli Motor Group of Companies Limited from China, Linna Zeng said the Fair has afforded his company the opportunity of showcasing its various products.
He said though it was difficult to bring their various trucks to the Fair Ground but said through their brochures, he was able to show to many Nigerians who thronged the Fair the qualities of their various trucks.
He said the China Brand Show afforded his company the opportunity of reaching out to Nigerians who remain the largest market in Sub- Saharan Africa.
” The China Brand Show is well organised and it afford us the opportunity to reach out to
Nigerians. We hope this will continue’, Zeng said.
Another participant at the Fair who gave his name simply as Kun and whose company is into hair products had a lot of patronage as women queued up to buy his products.
Speaking with National Monitor, he said : ” the Fair is good, good, very good. I speak little English but it is good”.
The Regional Manager of Handian Group of Companies Limited, Tony Hua commended the organiser of the China Brand Show/ Retail Sourcing for the opportunity given to manufacturers to display their products.
He said many of the manufacturers are in Nigeria for the first time .
” The Fair has afforded us the opportunity to meet Nigerians. Nigerians are good people. We hope next year will be another opportunity”.
Mohan Kaki who comes from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, one of the retailers who produces poly bags , leather bags , Ankara bags and other African cultural items urged the organisers to have different days for the China Brand Show and African retailers next year.
She said many visitors to the Fair patronize Chinese products than African products.
” Many people who came said they have spent their money at the Chinese stand and had little money remaining to buy African products. Please next year separate it, we can’t compete with the Chinese and their products. Organisation was okay, perfect, good”. Kaki said.
Also speaking , the immediate past president of National Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (NACCIMA), Iyalode Alaba Lawson commended Leoht Africa and Atlantic Exhibition for bringing down China manufacturers to Nigeria .
” Kudos to them, the organser. They have done well . They have helped Nigerians by bringing Chinese manufacturers and their products to our doorsteps. This is a relationship that will improve our economy and we must sustain it”, Lawson said.
