25 SMEs Selected for Minex S/Africa from Lagos Zone
No fewer than 25 industrials in the Small/Medium Enterprises (SME's) sector have been selected from Lagos Zone to participate in this year's Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition (MINEX) which will hold in South Africa from September 28-October 2. The selection process which is the first phase in preparation for the exhibition took place at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Apapa.
Addressing participants during the exercise, Mr Dapo Adelegan, CEO, PR Africa International said that although 100 exhibitors were expected to be at South Africa, only 50 would be drawn from the SMES The other 50, would be made up of corporate organizations like banks, State governments and other government parastatals.
Mr. Adelegan said with the quality of products selected during the exercise he was optimistic that a huge business opportunity will open to the SME's especially among the black population which makes up 80% of the 52 million South Africa population.
He said 50 kilogrammes of each participants goods, will be freighted free of charge and also provide free trade representation office for participants and serve as middlemen in business transactions between the South African and Nigerian Businessmen even after the exhibition. This he said will go a long way in reducing the risk that the Nigerian Businessmen are exposed to and the burden of providing credible guarantees or letters of credit usually demanded by foreign business partners.
The Zonal controller of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, (NEPC) Mr. Mathew Aigbogun, who was on ground to supervise the selection process applauded the exercise as good for the Promotion of Nigerian products to the outside world. He said that his organisation will also assist in the selection of participants from other zones in the country.
Mr. Peter Ademuyiwa, Managing Director of Ademuyiwa Lighting and Electronics Ltd. a wood based industry, expressed enthusiasm over his company's selection and said he looked forward to going to South Africa to do business. He added that the geographical location of South Africa in the savannah necessitated their need for wood and wooden products, which is what his company produces.
Another Industrialist, Mr Ladipo Olaoye, representing Spectra Nigeria Ltd. applauded the initiative and sees the exhibition as an opportunity to make contacts and do business on an international level.
Other selected companies include Virgin Beauty Industries Ltd. Pharma Deko Nigeria Ltd. 21th Century Designers, Industrial and Farm Equipment Ltd. Zedplast Industries Ltd Olomatoyin Nigeria Ltd. among others. The second and third selection exercises will take place at Port Harcourt and Kano on the 2nd and 5th of August respectively.
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