AFPE 2024: NACC tasks businesses on global standards for competitiveness
By Rukayat Moisemhe
The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) has tasked Nigerian businesses, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on global standards for competitiveness.
The President, NACC, Dame Adebola Williams, said this at a news conference to unveil activities lined up for the 2024 edition of the Africa Foods & Products Exhibition (AFPE) on Monday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the (NACC) is a foremost bilateral chamber of commerce established in 1960 to facilitate trade relations between Nigeria and the United States of America.
Williams said the advice was important to advance food sustainability and security for economic sustainability and development.
He also advocated the need for Nigerian businesses to fully position themselves to harness the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) instrument.
This, she stated would be achieved by building capacity, avoiding short cuts, and embracing value addition to commodities, particularly as considerations for the extension of AGOA to 2030 was underway.
“AGOA was to end in 2024 but there’s call for its extension for the benefits of Nigeria and other participating countries.
“With the 2024 edition of the AFPE, the NACC is using the platform to converge MSMEs and large corporations to advance Nigeria’s food security and drive economy sustainability.
“The event scheduled for April 20, 2024 at Harbour point, Lagos, is committed to linking business and people in Nigeria, Africa and to the United States of America.
“Over 3,000 attendees are expected at the event, over 100 exhibitors and we look forward to them closing international deals much higher than the close to N400 million we had the last time,” she said.
Williams said as part of the chamber’s Corporate Social Responsibility, discounted exhibition booths and some free of charge would be available for some MSMEs.
This, she said, was to enhance the showcasing of Nigeria goods to foreigners.
Williams noted that Nigerian products that successfully got abroad were most sought after in the global space.
“We would continue to encourage them to showcase food, products and services to local and international audiences to shore up the country’s export indices and sustain the economy.
“The NACC is committed to continuing partnerships with many organisations in the U.S. to deepen their business interests in Nigeria,” she said.
Mr Ayo Stuffman, Chairman, AFPE, said the event was a platform to showcase Nigeria goods and products to the local and diaspora community.
Stuffman called for government’s support to swiftly enable export products get off the shores of the country within the minimal time possible.
He noted that while Nigerian farmers had what it took to churn out good agricultural produce, government needed to intervene in areas of preservation to engender food security and increase the country’s export indices.
“At AFPE, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, is scheduled as guest speaker and also expected is the commercial attaché of U.S. Consulate in Nigeria, dignitaries from the American consulate and relevant commissioners from Lagos State, among others,” he said.
Ms Yemisi Ogundipe, the Vice Chairman, AFPE, said the AFPE with the theme:” Actualising Sustainable Economic Growth: Think Global, be Local,” was hinged on food and products particularly by MSMEs which were the sustaining components of any economy.
Ogundipe emphasised the need for MSMEs to think global and take advantage of foreign interests to upscale, while reinforcing the importance of standards to compete globally.
“Think global but be local; businesses must perfect production, packaging quality products while in Nigeria and use the vehicle or instruments of the chamber to enhance competitiveness,” he said.
Also, the acting Director-General, NACC, Ms Wofai Samuel, highlighted the platform as an opportunity to promote intra-Africa trade, maximise the opportunities inherent in the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Samuel said the platform would additionally boost non-oil exports which was key to sustaining the country’s economic growth.
“MSMEs across the continent will be given a veritable platform to showcase the products they have manufactured, generate new clients and sales opportunities and above all, connect with new markets.
“I am very pleased as this speaks directly to the objective of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, which continues to deliver on trade dividends for businesses especially in Nigeria,” she said. (NAN)(ww.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
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