OIC trade fair: Minister charges committee on Nigeria’s image

From Abba-Eku Onyeka Abuja

Minister of state for Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Hajiya Aisha Abubakar has charged the Preparatory Committee for Nigeria’s participation at the upcoming trade fair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to exhibit the best of what could give the country good image.
This latest development was contained in a release from the ministry signed Josephine Ademu on behalf of the Deputy Director Press.
According to the release, the minister gave the charge to the committee while inaugurating them on Tuesday in her office in Abuja.
“Showcase our strength and not our weaknesses; seek to go exhibit the best of Made in Nigeria Products,” the Minister charged the committee.
Nigeria is preparing to participate in the exceptional edition of Trade Fair of the OIC member states, scheduled to hold in Kuwait City, State of Kuwait from 6th to 10th February, 2018.
The preparatory committee was comprised of the agencies and officials of the FMITI and its lead agencies such as the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission(NIPC), Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority(NEPZA), Bank of Industry(BOI), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) and some private sector organizations in the Industry’s sector. Others include Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. However, FMITI will chair the Committee.
Explaining why Nigeria should put her best at the event in Kuwait, the minister said that the country had economic gains and the opportunity to showcase made in Nigerian products, just as she spoke at length on the need to showcase her investment opportunities to other 56 member State. She therefore, admonished the Preparatory Committee to ensure that Nigeria joins other member States to seize the opportunity created by the Trade Fair to diversify our economy away from crude oil as she said, “This is in line with the present administration’s determination to reform the economy and attain a diversified, sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development that will attract Foreign Direct Investment; Create jobs and ensure Nigeria takes its rightful place in the comity of nations.
Earlier in a speech, Yusuf Ibrahim, the Acting Director of Trade in Ministry said OIC was founded in 1969 with 57 member States, adding that membership cuts across Arica, Europe and Asia, with the main goal of promoting international peace and harmony as well as the well-being of member States.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Edet Sunday Akpan also in a remark pledged to ensure that the Ministry avails the Committee all that it may require to deliver.