The 2019 edition, of the International Investment Conference, organized, by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, was held at the premises of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, today, Wednesday, October 30, 2019.
The International Investment Conference is an annual event, held as a precursor, to the annual Lagos International Trade Fair.
This year’s Lagos International Trade Fair is, scheduled to come up between Friday, November 1 and Sunday, November 11, 2019, at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
The theme for the 2019 International Investment Conference is; ‘Promoting Investment, Connecting Businesses’.
“This forum serves to set the tone, for this year’s Trade Fair, with the objective of addressing business and novel investment issues, from the perspectives, of both domestic and foreign investors”, Babatunde Paul Ruwase, the President of LCCI stressed, in his welcome remarks.
Delivering her Goodwill message at the conference, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Lola Akande, stated that, the importance of the theme of this year’s conference, cannot be over emphasised, as businesses need connectivity and linkages, with prospective partners and all stakeholders, to forester their corporate and organizational objectives.
“In Lagos State, we are well positioned, to harness our strengths and potentials, towards safeguarding and maximizing your investment in our State, therefore, we are poised to strengthen Public Private Partnership, (PPP), by creating an enabling environment and facilitating value-added synergies, for economic, social and environmental impact”, the Commissioner explained.
She mentioned that, to underscore Lagos States attraction, as the preferred Investment destination, the financial closure, worth $629 million, for the development of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, was secured, few days ago.
Col. Hammed Ali, Rtd, the Comptroller General of the Customs Service and Muhammed Babandede, the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, also gave their goodwill messages, through their representatives, Comptroller Adetoye and A.O. Okpu, respectively.
The thrust of their messages, centred on the fact that, both services are deploying ICT, to ease transactions, while individuals and business executives are relating with them.
The Conference, then, went into a panel session, to discuss the theme, “Promoting Investment, Connecting Businesses”, with Bongo Adi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics & Business Intelligence, Lagos Business School, Pan-African University, serving as moderator.
The panelists include, Her Excellency, Ms. Claire Pierangelo, The Consul General, US High Commission, who was represented by Christine Kelley, Commercial Attache, at the US Mission to Nigeria, Mrs. Solape Hammond, Special Adviser on Sustainable Goals & Lagos Global, Lagos State, who was represented by Abolore Alade, Head of Investment Management and Risk Analysis Department, of Lagos Global, Ayotunde Coker, MD, Rack Centre, Dr. Olatunde Lalude, Medical Director, Reddington Hospital, O. M. Adetoye, Comptroller, Customs, representing the CG, Customs, Col. Hameed Alli, Rtd and A.O. Okpu, Assistant Comptroller, Immigration, representing the CG, Immigration Service.
Christine is of the opinion that, the Nigerian government should churn out friendly policies that will attract more FDI’s to Nigeria, rather than, embarking on policies that can scare away potential investors.
Sule stated that, in order to forester the promotion of investment, Lagos is ready, to embrace collaboration and delivering tangible investments, that can guarantee a better life, for the majority of the people, hence, the State is encouraging Public Private Partnerships.
“The way to break down technology into a consumable sachet is through the cloud. Prepaid rates and you consume it, as you go”, stated Ayotunde Coker, while speaking on how ICT is easing off how business is now done.
Ayotunde further said that, we have to, strive extra-hard, to out-perform our international competitions, to be competitive, citing the example of France, which gives incentives tax breaks on power to data companies in France, unlike here in Nigeria.
“From an investment point of view, we have to invest a significant amount of money in infrastructure we create to be world class.
The fact that infrastructure is here, doesn’t mean that it should be below the best standard in the world”, he stressed, on the need for Nigerian businesses, to brace up for global competition.
Comptroller Adetoye of the Customs Service and A. O. Okpu of the Immigration Service, reiterated the commitment of the two services in easing the processes of transactions with them, as well as gave out contacts that can be accessed when they need help.
Muda Yusuf, the DG, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, stated that the recommendations made at the Conference will not go to waste, as these will be documented and passed on to the right quarters, where they will be utilized, in easing the burden of investing in Nigeria.
Featured Image: (L-R) Abolore Alade, Head of Investment Management and Risk Analysis Department, of Lagos Global, O. M. Adetoye, Comptroller of Customs, Bongo Adi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics & Business Intelligence, Lagos Business School, Pan-African University, Babatunde Paul Ruwase, the President of LCCI, Christine Kelley, Commercial Attache, at the US Mission to Nigeria, Dr. Olatunde Lalude, Medical Director, Reddington Hospital, A.O. Okpu, Assistant Comptroller, Immigration and Ayotunde Coker, at the 2019 edition, of the International Investment Conference, organized, by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, was held at the premises of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.
Don’t miss important articles during the week. Subscribe to https://techbuild.africa/newsletter-signup/ for updates.
