Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the ministry will strengthen collaboration with manufacturing industries and improve manufacturing performance to foster economic growth and development.
Uzoka Anite said this at the opening ceremony of the 7th Nigeria Manufacturing Equipment Expo and 9th Nigeria Raw Materials Expo held in Lagos on Tuesday.
NAN reports that the theme of the expo was “Future Manufacturing: Building a Sustainable Roadmap to Nigeria’s Industrialization.”
The Minister, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Olumuyiwa Ajayi Ade, said Nigeria must prioritize the development of the raw materials sector to support manufacturing.
According to her, by focusing on value addition and local sourcing, the country can reduce its dependence on imported raw materials and improve the overall competitiveness of its products.
The ministry’s policy initiatives are focused on creating an enabling environment for manufacturers to be more competitive, she said.
Uzoka Anite added that the ministry is committed to encouraging manufacturing activities and promoting the use of Nigerian-made products to increase their contribution to gross domestic product and job creation.
He noted that the future of Nigeria’s manufacturing industry depends on its ability to embrace technological advancements, but that manufacturers need to start leveraging new technological trends to increase productivity.
“The implementation of these cutting-edge technologies will strengthen the competitiveness of local manufacturers and position Nigeria as a global manufacturing hub.
“In line with the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s New Hope Agenda, it is imperative that we deliberately shift our focus to non-oil manufacturing sectors such as agriculture, textiles, automobiles, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy.
“Through fostering innovation, championing local content and making strategic investments in critical infrastructure, we are fostering the development of a strong, globally competitive manufacturing industry that has the potential to make a significant contribution to the economy.” ” she said.
Source: dailypost.ng