Apart from high-end tech products, cutting-edge automobile, food and beauty products, Japanese exhibitors to the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair are showcasing new products designed for the Nigerian market.
One of such products is a brand-new Nail Printer mode by DMM.com LLC, for the first time in the Nigeria.
Speaking at the ongoing fair, Shigeyo Nishizawa, trade commissioner/managing director, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Lagos, reinstated the commitment to support Japanese companies to invest more in Nigerian market as well as promote trade and investment between the both countries.
“As the Nigerian economy is starting to recuperate, exhibitors are keen to enter and expand their business in the biggest market of African continent,” Nishizawa said.
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The positive result Nishizawa noted had seen a huge difference in the size of the Japan pavilion and number of exhibitors this year compared with last year 2017.
“The pavilion, which is one of the biggest at the Lagos International Trade Fair, had a gross size of 1,750m2 with 23 Japanese companies that exhibited in year 2017, as compared to 2,125m2 gross size featuring around 30 Japanese companies this year 2018, which includes participants from Japan as well as their local representative agents,” he said.
Continuing, Nishizawa revealed areas covered by the Japanese companies include “vehicles, transportation machinery like motorcycles, trucks and auto parts; stationary, home appliances, fibre for hair making, hair care goods, dietary supplement, power generators, raw materials for cosmetics, industrial equipment, electrical tools, office equipment and sewing machines.”
“I am more than excited to recognize that the Japan Pavilion function as a business pathway for Nigeria, West Africa and even the whole continent for Japanese companies,” Nishizawa said.
One of the exhibitors, Hiroshi Seko, general manager of Kaneka Corporation (Africa), a beauty product company, described Nigeria market as a privilege for any organisation.
“We have been in Nigeria, for 36 years, our beauty products have won the love of Nigerian women. Nigeria is our biggest market and Kenekalon holds around 50% of Nigeria’s shares on hair,” Seko said.
Seko continued, “We are keen to support Nigeria’s economic growth, and this has been our driving force.
“We are also very excited to showcase our products, which are fibre for hair goods making, Hair goods and Hair care goods at this year fair being our first.”
Other Japanese exhibitors at the ongoing trade fair include, Panasonic, Koncept Autocentre (partner of Isuzu Motors), Canon Central, and North Africa, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria, Massilia Motor, Kaneka Corporation, Denka, Brother International, HONDA, CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria”, etc.
