- The Chairman of the International Sea Trade and Investment Convention’s Steering Committee, Chief Adebayo Sarumi has said that maritime and trade in sub-Saharan Africa has contributed over $15 billion annually to Nigeria’s economy. To him, the amount could grow to as much as $50 billion in the next couple of years if the country’s trade frontiers could be explored adequately.
- The convention with the theme: “Exploring New Trade Frontiers,” will explore cross border potentials along the regional trade corridor and will be hosted at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
- Sarumi said that the convention was being promoted by the Logistics Event Company in partnership with the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping and many other partners and sponsors.
- He explained that the convention would attract about 500 delegates from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and the Middle East. He added that the organisers had received confirmation from participants.
- Also, Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, was confirmed to be the Keynote Speaker. He noted that the sector had experienced an unprecedented growth in the last few years.
- He noted that the event would hold between October 5 and 6, 2015 and was designed as a platform to address issues of new and direct trade route between Nigeria and the leading trading partners.
“It is packaged for the development of viable import/export market, standardisation of goods and services to meet global certification for export, import and finance, market linkage, trade and infrastructure investment,” he said. The chairman added that convention would identify impediments to export trade restrictions, facilities and regulations within the maritime sector.
He said: “It is planned to create the platform for stakeholders to develop a roadmap to address issues of products, standardisation, financing, incentives and the lack of infrastructure plaguing the industry. It is planned to further buoy up Nigeria’s export trade and maritime sector to make it attractive to global buyers and foreign investors.
