Nigeria will be hosting its first-ever international aerospace show, Airport Expo, aimed at attracting $50 billion investment into the country’s aviation industry in October this year.
John Nwosu, executive director, International Aviation Management and Security (IAMS), who disclosed this to aviation correspondents at the weekend in Abuja, said the event would bring together participants from all over the world, as it was intended to attract $50 billion worth of investment into Nigeria’s aviation industry through its international business forum.
Nwosu said the potential in the country’s aviation sector was yet to be harnessed, saying Nigeria controlled the largest aviation market in Central and West African region.
“The benefit of this programme for Nigeria is that it will attract investment into this country. For example, the Airport Expo that was held in Dubai in 2013 generated over $20 billion investment, while this one will be done in five phases and we are expecting $50 billion investment,” Nwosu said.
According to Nwosu, the first international aerospace show, Airport Expo and Business Forum, will be held in Lagos and Abuja in October.
The programme will enable participants to collaborate and establish clear legislative frameworks, policy priorities, transparent governance systems and effective funding strategies for regional aviation growth, he said.
”The event will bring together aviation professionals and stakeholders who will network, source their products requirements and create over $50 billion’ worth of business possibilities. It also targets to chart a sustainable path and, brainstorm on preventive strategy for the aviation sector,” he said.
The programme is also aimed at solving the numerous problems confronting the aviation industry, not only in Nigeria but also Africa and the globe as a whole, he said.
At the programme, cabinet ministers in charge of aviation from the participating countries would meet in plenary to rub minds on many issues bordering on the development of the industry.
The event is designed to shape tomorrow’s aviation and bring many countries into the new world order, he said.
