AYO ESAN
The 2019 Retail Sourcing Fair and the China Brand Show being organized by the Leoht Africa and the Atlantic Exhibition kicked off at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Tuesday with over 250 manufacturers across various sectors from China and other manufacturers from across Sub- Saharan African countries participating.
The opening ceremony of the well attended event was witnessed by the Director of Trade Development Bureau, Mr Miao Huawei, the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Mrs Folasade Tinubu- Ojo, Immediate past president of NACCIMA , Iyalode Alaba Lawson among other dignitaries.
Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director, Leoht Africa, Bunmi Aliu said Retail Sourcing Fair 2019 is a strong meeting point for private sector and the retail value chain which is the backbone of Nigeria market.
She said in September 2018, Leoht Africa established its office in Lagos believing that there is a good opportunity for future growth and development and that Lagos is well positioned as the commercial hub for the West Africa region and is key for its work in sub – Saharan Africa.
Speaking on Leoht Africa, Aliu said:
“Our mission is always simple, to provide route to market, market penetration and expansion strategies . As a leading Consultant in this region we have worked with many of the leading and global players. Over the past years, we have 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.
“We have monitored the impressive growth of Independent market retailers and the retail sector in Nigeria which is now recognized by the global retail index as the largest retail market in Sub – Saharan Africa with retail sales of over $185 Bn in 2018 .
She said the Retail Sourcing Fair 2019 has doubled in size saying “we are focused on establishing a presence for global manufacturers in key markets on the continent.
“Our focus apart from international manufacturers also help local manufacturers to expand into other Africa markets . We are pleased that this year beyond the visit and partnership we have established with the local markets and the Iyalojas and Babalojas, we have welcomed as well buyers from other West African countries who are visiting the event this year.
“We are also excited on new designs and African manufacturers at the Home Grown : Best of Africa pavilion, a new area focussed on manufacturers and with talent for producing extra ordinary products from across Africa .
“The China brand show makes its debut in West Africa this year, across a wide variety of industries in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce of China of the People’s Republic of China . It has seen huge success in major countries after its launch in 2002 in countries such as USA , Vietnam and major cities such as Los Angeles , Las Vegas.
She extend her immense appreciation to their partners at the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Lagos State Government, supporting associations as well as appreciating international partners; Retail Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China.
Also speaking, the founder of Atlantic Exhibition, Mr Ayo Olugade
said this year’s Fair is designed in such a manner as to promote and grow international sales and also local sales by annexing the power of collaboration , partnership and mutual understanding among all tiers of value chain from the manufacturers to the wholesalers, retailers and the end users themselves.
He said the China Brand show features over 250 manufacturers across multiple sectors which will lead to business development saying everyone is looking forward to all the immense opportunities and connect that the Fair has in stock.
He also expresses his gratitude to those who partnered the Fair including Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines , Industry and Agriculture; Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) ; Ministry of Commerce , People’s Republic of China ; the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, (FADAN); Lagos State Government Trade Development Bureau and the Retail Council of Nigeria .
The Iyaloja – General of Lagos, Mrs Folasade Tinubu – Ojo urges Nigerians to take advantage presented to them by the 2019 Retail Sourcing Fair/ China Brand Show especially the quality products brought from China.
She said the Nigeria retail sector is experiencing a transformation that is shaped by changing consumers preferences.
The immediate past president of National Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (NACCIMA), Iyalode Alaba Lawson commended the organisers of the Fair for bringing ” the far China to our doorstep”.
She urged Nigerians to make use of the opportunity saying ” this is the real networking that we can make hold of and this is the real networking we can make to build our own economy.
” We need to build our own economy.We need to make sure the economy is properly brought back to its own feet”.
” We cannot underrate the contribution of women in growing the economy. We are.moving from informal to a formal trade and I like the way the Iyaloja is carrying on. But please let us network together with everybody to make sure that we contribute our own quota to bring the economy back to shape”
