Let’s Develop Our Export Market to Attract Foreign exchange says Makinde
By Adewale Owoade
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has appealed to Nigerians to shun trading blames and collectively develop the country’s export market to attract foreign exchange and end the hardship currently being experienced in the country.
Makinde stated this while declaring open the Oyo State International Trade Fair, known as “EXPOYO 2024,” in Ibadan.
The theme of the trade fair is “Showcasing the Economic Potential of Oyo State Through Agriculture, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises”.
According to the governor, shifting focus to export instead of import is one way to achieve the desired repair of the country’s economy.
“This is a very tough period for us as a country. Economically, things are not going the way we want but this is not the time to give up. It is the time to look at opportunities, because opportunities are always lurking in the corner when there are challenges.
“For us in Oyo State, we are not giving up. I can see notable industrialists here. It is about time we changed our orientation. People will talk about what we produce in Nigeria and showcase the economic potential of Oyo State.
“We are not interested only in things that we will consume locally in Oyo State. Export substitution means you are looking at only your own market. Export orientation means we want to produce here and sell to the world and earn the necessary foreign exchange.
“For us here, it is a challenge for OYCCIMA and the industrialists in our midst. We must develop our export market and attract foreigners so that in the years to come, this exhibition will become truly international.
“It is not acceptable to me or to any of us here that a state, which is 120km away from here, is generating over N65 billion every month in IGR and we are struggling to generate four billion naira monthly,” Makinde said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner, Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Ademola Ojo, said Governor Makinde has been expanding the economy of Oyo State by working in concert with the players in the private sector and leveraging the state’s potential to move the state forward.
“It will only be right to say that the Oyo State government has taken another giant stride in the rejuvenation of our dear state economy through exhibiting our area of potentialities to the entire world.
“A lot of opportunities are bound in the state as we can all see today that leveraging on our potential in the state will exist in moving the state and the entire country forward,” Ojo said.
Also in his address, the President, Oyo State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr Daniel Gbadero, appreciated Governor Makinde for his exceptional economic transformation agenda and his support towards the success of the “EXPOYO 2024.”
“It has been quite sometime since we have a trade fair in Oyo state, we must give kudos to Gov Seyi Makinde, who as his part of economy transformation agenda for the state has graciously chosen to support Oyo State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OYCCIMA) to organise the 2024 EXPOYO Trade fair,” Gbadero said.
The governor and his entourage later inspected the trade fair exhibition ground.
The event had in attendance Top government officials, political and religious leaders, traditional rulers, political appointees among others. (NAN)
