SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, (THEWILL) – The need to strongly market and patronize Made-in-Nigeria goods will be the main focus of the 22nd edition of the Nigerian Economic Summit scheduled for October this year, in Abuja.
This was disclosed by Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and National Planning, on Monday, while inaugurating the Joint Planning Committee (JPC) for the 22 Nigerian Economic Summit, in Abuja.
Senator Udoma, who disclosed that the theme for this year’s summit will be ‘Made-in-Nigeria’, added that the Summit will be used to galvanise support from stakeholders on the need to commit to the structural and fiscal changes required to strengthen the Nigerian economy.
Although he acknowledged that there are challenges in promoting Made-in-Nigeria products because of quality and standard issues, he nonetheless said Nigerians must challenge themselves as he insisted that “we have the ability in Nigeria to make products of the highest quality”.
“We are therefore calling on all our economic agents to re-oriente to Nigerian made goods and services first before considering imported products.”
While expecting that the Summit will serve as a strong platform to sharpen the focus of conversation and extract tangible commitments and outcomes from participants, the Minister said the key thrust would be to facilitate stakeholders’ discussion and agreements on the practical issues, opportunities, policies and regulations needed to allow “Made-in-Nigeria” a success in the country.
“It should also work out the strategy to achieve self-sufficiency and value-addition capacities in several products in manufacturing and services in the shortest possible time,” he added.
Speaking on the essence of the summit, Senator Udoma said many of the reform policy initiatives that have underpinned the evolution of the country’s growth strategies in the past 23 years were strongly influenced by debates and deliberations during the summits.
Recalling that last year’s Summit focused on the tough choices required to achieve competiveness, inclusive growth and sustainability, he said many of the recommendations were reflected in the 2016 Budget and the Strategic Implementation Plan for Budget 2016.
He therefore enjoined the planning committee to take cognizance of the current Administration’s commitment to repositioning of the economy, creating jobs for the youths, as well as supporting the vulnerable groups.
Story by David Oputah
