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The Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture Trade Fair opened in Lagos with government officials, business leaders and trade stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to improving investment opportunities and strengthening regional commerce in Nigeria, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the International Trade Fair complex in Lagos, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, described Lagos as one of Africa’s leading destinations for business and investment.
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Represented by the Acting Director of Commerce in the ministry, Segun Alugba, the commissioner said the state government was focused on creating a more business-friendly environment through reforms aimed at simplifying processes and improving transparency.
According to her, Lagos continues to support businesses through policies that encourage investment, digital innovation and ease of doing business.
She urged participants at the fair to take advantage of networking opportunities, business exhibitions and partnership discussions during the event.
“We are creating a more transparent and efficient environment for businesses to thrive. Every interaction here has the potential to create value and open new opportunities,” she said.
The Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Customs Service Zone A, Ikeja, Assistant Comptroller General Mohammed Babandede, who represented the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the agency was working with BACCIMA to encourage local production and improve trade activities.
Babandede commended the organisers for creating a platform that would support manufacturers, exporters and neighbouring West African countries.
Also speaking, the President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Jani Ibrahim, said the chamber remained committed to supporting policies that promote industrialisation, export growth, infrastructure development and competitiveness among small businesses.
Represented by the Director General of the association, Olusola Obadimu, Ibrahim said stronger collaboration between government agencies, financial institutions and the private sector was necessary to grow Nigeria’s economy and position local businesses for regional and global markets.
In his remarks, BACCIMA President Yahaya Idris described the trade fair as more than just an exhibition platform, saying it was designed to promote investment, regional trade and economic partnerships.
He noted that the event would provide opportunities for businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, technology and creative industries to connect with investors and explore new markets.
Idris also appealed to the Lagos State Government to establish an International Trade Park along the Badagry corridor to strengthen cross-border trade along the Lagos-Abidjan route.
According to him, despite global economic pressures and the impact of rising fuel prices linked to the Middle East crisis, the chamber remained committed to ensuring the success of the fair.
He added that the initiative would help support SMEs, deepen regional integration under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area, and create sustainable economic opportunities for businesses across West Africa.
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