As preparations for the 12th edition of the flagship auto- fair in West Africa, tagged ‘The Lagos Motor Fair’ & Autoparts Expo Africa, billed to take place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos from April 24-29, 2017 gathers momentum; the organizers of the annual event, BKG Exhibitions have revealed that the scope of the event has been widened to cover the entire continent of Africa.
According to the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the event, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, their research shows that Nigerians are virtually visible in the auto spare parts sales across the Continent with most of them having their source of supply from the Nigerian market.
Briefing newsmen on the coming event recently in Lagos, he said, “Our target is to make them and other dealers in Africa get their supplies from Nigeria and thereby supporting the aim of making Nigeria the hub of auto-parts production, distribution and sales in the continent. Strategically, we are laying great emphasis on the Spare Parts sector in this edition as the current challenges confronting the automobile companies have seen a huge number of them with little or no sales, with some closing down or downsizing while the surviving ones are relying on after sales. We are using this edition to push further the importance of after sales which heavily rests on the availability of quality auto-parts and accessories used in servicing and or repairing vehicles. We are using this slant to enhance the catalyzing of the development of cottage industries in the spare parts sub-sector of the automotive business sector of the economy with the attendant multiplier effects on the economy of the nation. The need to ginger activities in the sub-sector to complement the setting up of auto clusters as espoused by the automotive policy is another factor we took into consideration. Our target is to attract many reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers of Spare Parts from across the globe to participate in this edition as well as in subsequent ones. Quite a large number of confirmed Original Equipment Manufacturers from all over the world are already booking for space to be at the show. The aim of bringing them to Lagos which is the hub of automotive business in Africa is to enable Nigerians and other Africans engaged in auto spare business work out rewarding and lasting business relationships with the main companies engaged in the manufacture of auto spare parts”.
Speaking further on the coming event, Mr. Agwu who is also the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited stated that, “we are equally packaging this edition to add more value to their participation. Though majority of them are having deeply tough time in business I still urge them to be part of this show so as to use it to tell their stories better as they demonstrate capabilities and display potentials to attract the needed attention from the policy makers”.
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