By Yakubu LAAH InvestAdvocate
Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)-Nigeria is set to hold its first ever International Sea Trade and Investment (ISTI) Convention 2015 scheduled between 5th and 6th of October, 2015 in Lagos Nigeria.
The Convention with the theme “Exploring New Trade Frontiers” will be hosted at the Landmark Centre, on Victoria Island in Lagos, a statement from the organisers said.
According to the organisers, the ISTI 2015 is designed as a platform to address issues of new and direct trade routes between Nigeria and its leading trading partners, exploring cross border potentials along the regional trade corridor, developing viable import/export markets, standardisation of goods and
services to meet global certification for export.
Other issues the ISTI 2015 convetion will address include safety and security on the nation’s waterways, import and export financing, market linkage, trade and infrastructure investment.
In the same vein, the convention is aimed at identifying impediments to export trade restrictions, facilities and regulations within the maritime sector. “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,” the statement added.
Adebayo Sarumi, chairman of the ISTI convention’s steering committee said in Lagos the convention is planned to further buoy up Nigeria’s export trade and maritime sector to make it attractive to global
buyers and foreign investors.
Sarumi says maritime and trade in the Sub-Saharan Africa region has experienced an unprecedented growth in the last few years, contributing over $15 billion annually to Nigeria’s economy. “This can grow to as much as $50 billion in the next couple of years,” he affirmed.
“We plan to bring the best minds to this two day convention featuring conference and exhibition that will engage interactive discussions, high level networking and unrivaled business intelligence through participation of the industry’s foremost stakeholders, decision makers, investors and trade specialists,” Sarumi added.
He further affirmed that the Convention will set the stage to further consolidate Nigeria’s position as a regional trade, maritime and logistics hub in Africa. “This is aimed at supporting government’s diversification program to reduce the country’s dependence on oil. The event will also create a conducive environment that will encourage and recognise the importance of partnerships with key stakeholders across the globe,” he said.
The ISTI 2015 convention will attract about 400 delegates from all over the world and participation
will cut across respective trade and investment departments from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and the Middle East, for which confirmation has already been received from some.
General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State is confirmed to be the Keynote Speaker. The convention is being promoted by the Logistics Event Company in partnership with the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping and a host of other partners, sponsors and industry stakeholders like Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Airtel and Jovago.
