President Muhammadu Buhari said on Saturday that his administration would continue to set clear and consistent policy direction to provide a conducive environment for the private sector to thrive.
The president made this known in Kaduna while declaring open the 41st Kaduna International Trade Fair.
The president who was presented by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, said that the private sector was the engine room of growth and prosperity in any nation.
Buhari expressed the hope that participants at the trade fair would avail themselves with the considerable opportunities it will present to ensure sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
He said the theme of the fair, which is “Unlocking Nigeria’s Economic potential through Regional Integration,” was apt and in line with his administration’s economic policies and programmes.
He said Nigeria has one of the largest markets in Africa, as such trade fairs such as the one in Kaduna should serve as a platform for promoting small and medium enterprises by showcasing Made-in-Nigeria products.
The President said small and medium enterprises is an important pillar of Nigeria’s social-economic development and regional integration.
“This year’s event is an opportunity to bring together investors, traders and operators of Agriculture, agro-allied businesses from within and outside the country for the promotion of trade and commerce wealth and job creation and above all alleviation poverty in Nigeria.
“The federal government in recent times launched a new policy aimed at attracting foreign direct investment which includes ease of doing business, enabling environment, infrastructure development, improving business confidence and generally providing various incentives to selected critical sectors of the economy.”
He added that the government is also putting efforts on security of lives and property, as well as ensuring a robust business environment.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AFTCA) is a plus in African regional integration,” he added.
According to him, the Kaduna state presents a wealth of investment opportunities in manufacturing, ICT, hospitality, agriculture, mining, power and housing, and has been attracting investors.
He further reiterates that the tasks of transforming Nigeria into an industrial giant cannot be achieved without the needed collaboration with the private sector.
“In this regard, the administration will welcome ideas, suggestions and initiatives from all stakeholders on how best to ensure sustainable economic development.”
He also thanked Kaduna state governor for doing a lot to transform the state to return it to an industrial state.
Earlier, Dr Farida Dankaka, President Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, disclosed that the choice of the theme is to complement the efforts of government in exploring trade opportunities and linkages in AFTCA.
She, however, urged the government to consider stakeholders concerns on access to finance, technology and trade information hub, production capacity among others in the implementation of the continental trade agreement.
She said for Nigeria to have an edge, it must have a robust manufacturing sector.
Dankaka commended the Federal Government for making the economy a top priority and taking radical steps in ensuring that local production is encouraged in the country.
In her remarks, National President of Nigeria Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Hajiya Saratu Aliyu commended the Kaduna state government for its support to the growth of businesses.
She called on state governments nationwide to consolidate and improve ease of doing business, as well s promote agriculture and industrialization by creating policies on the value chain.
In his remarks, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, represented by the Commissioner, Business Innovation, Mr Idris Nyam, assured that the state would always promote policies that would attract new investments.
According to him, the trade fair has been a consistent platform for people to showcase innovations, ideas, new products and world-class services while consolidating interface with industries.
He said the fair was in consonance with one of the state key pillars of investment policies in the areas of grains, tomatoes and other products.
“We are delighted that agro-processing has responded to helping in improving the capacity of farmers while promoting agro-business,” he said.