Group Intensifies Efforts to Grow Japan, Nigeria Trade

As Nigeria’s government continues to make deliberate efforts to rejuvenate the nation’s economy by increasing opportunities for foreign investments, Japanese companies have taken huge advantage of this by expanding their businesses in the biggest African market, Nigeria.

To this end, as one of its activities to showcase Japanese products to African and particularly Nigerian market, the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in collaboration with Embassy of Japan, has erected a Japan Pavilion, the largest, at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair, where various products are being exhibited, from vehicles to food items and other products.

Focused on promoting investment and facilitating trade from Japan to Nigeria, JETRO has been of immense support to Japanese companies in Nigeria by increasing activities to improve the business environment which augments Japanese companies to invest in Nigeria, while aiding trade and investment with great positivity in both countries.

It was obvious at the trade fair that the Nigerian economy has started recuperating as exhibitors were keen to enter and expand their business in the biggest market in the continent.

There no doubt therefore that there was a huge difference in the size and number of exhibitors in Japan Pavilion this year as compared to last year 2017.

The pavilion which is one of the biggest at the Lagos International Trade Fair had a gross size of 1,750m2 with 23 Japanese companies that exhibited in 2017, compared to 2,125m2 gross size featuring around 30 Japanese companies this year 2018.

This included participants from Japan as well as their local representative agents, in areas such as food, vehicles, transportation machinery like motorcycles, trucks and auto parts; stationary, home appliances, fiber for hair making, hair care goods, Dietary Supplement, power generators, raw materials for cosmetics, industrial equipment, electrical tools, office equipment and sewing machines.

Since 2014, JETRO has been organising Japan Pavilion at Lagos International Trade Fair.

Within one of the biggest pavilions at the fair this year, Japanese firms and their local distributors have brought in more than 33 Japanese brands to fascinate Nigerians.

One of the exhibitors at the Japan Pavilion, Mr. Hiroshi Seko, General Manager of Kaneka Corporation (Africa), said, “I am more than excited to recognise that the Japan Pavilion function as a business pathway for Nigeria, West Africa and even the whole continent for Japanese companies.

“It is of utmost importance and great privilege to be part of the participants exhibiting at the Lagos International Trade Fair 2018.”

According to him, the activities of Japanese companies in Nigeria are contributing to Nigeria’s economic development and growth.

“They create jobs, educate staff, transfer technology and share values of Japanese craftsmanship, which is the key agenda of the federal government and its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP),” Seko added.