To boost economic growth and create employment for Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari has enjoined Nigerians to support locally made goods.

While acknowledging the privileged position of Lagos State which according to him, accounts for over eighty percent of Nigeria’s foreign trade and contributes fifty percent of the Country’s revenue.

He made this known while declaring this year’s International Trade Fair open at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.

Buhari noted that embracing locally made goods is the surest way to realising the Nation’s potential and also the way out of poverty.

The President spoke through Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

Also, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the annual Trade Fair has impacted greatly on the economy of Nigeria and Lagos State in particular through the unique opportunities provided for individuals and Corporate Organisations to showcase their Products and Services to larger number of people.

He added that the International Trade Fair has also provided Enterpreneurs all over the world opportunities to interact and build strong network while expanding their businesses locally and across the borders.

Sanwo-Olu assured entrepreneurs and Investors that government will continue to create a business friendly environment to facilitate profitable returns on Investments in the State.

While speaking on efforts to increase economic activities, he said government is making efforts to secure the traditional site of the Trade Fair Complex from the Federal Government and also the reopening of the border to increase the State’s economic activities”.

He assured entrepreneurs in Lagos State of government’s commitment towards improving the business environment to make it more attractive as the Investor’s destination of the Nation.

According to him, it is in furtherance of the objective that government ceaselessly pursued the implementation of reforms in the critical sectors including public service institutions and the judiciary and the massive infrastructural upgrade and development of road network across the State to ensure significant reduction in travel time.

Speaking on the 2021 Lagos International Trade Fair theme: “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value” ,Sanwo-olu noted that the theme of the international fair is in alignment with the Theme’s Agenda of the administration towards attaining a Greater Lagos in the business sector.

He commended the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry for it’s doggedness and commitment in growing the exhibition industry even with the challenges posed by the pandemic on global economy.

The Governor, however, pledged that his Government will continue to evolve sound policies that will stand the test of time and provide the needed roadmap for the state journey to economic recovery and prosperity.

He spoke through Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Dr. Lola Akande.

This is contained in a statement made available by Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Kayode Oyekanmi.