Lagos Motor Fair, Autoparts Expo Africa target Africa markets

Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu, MD, BKG Exhibitions

As arrangements for the hosting of the 12th  edition of the flagship auto- fair in West Africa ‘The Lagos Motor Fair’ & Autoparts Expo Africa billed to take place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos from April 24-29, 2017 gathers momentum; the organizers of the annual event, BKG Exhibitions has revealed that the scope of the event has been widened to cover the entire continent of Africa

According to the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the event, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, their research shows that Nigerians are virtually visible in the auto spare parts sales across the Continent and with most of them having their source of supply from the Nigerian market. “Our target is to make them and other dealers in Africa get their supplies from Nigeria and thereby supporting the aim of making Nigeria the hub of autoparts production, distribution and sales in the continent, hence the theme “two even continental spread,” he said. 

•Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu, MD, BKG Exhibitions Contacts and serious promotions of the event are ongoing at the various countries and both Nigerian embassies in those countries and the embassies of the countries in Nigeria have been reached out to and responses so far have been quite encouraging, he said. He said, “strategically, we are laying great emphasis on the Spare Parts sector in this edition as the current challenges confronting the automobile companies have seen a huge number of them with little or no sales, with some closing down or downsizing while the surviving ones are relying on after sales.  

To this end, he said we are using this edition to push further the importance of aftersales which heavily rests on the availability of quality autoparts and accessories used in servicing and or repairing vehicles. “We are using this slant to enhance the catalyzing of the development of cottage industries in the spare parts sub-sector of the automotive business sector of the economy with the attendant multiplier effects on the economy of the nation. 

The need to ginger activities in the sub-sector to complement the setting up of auto clusters as espoused by the automotive policy is another factor we took into consideration. The chairman of the Organising Committee further noted, “our target is to attract many reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers of Spare Parts from across the globe to participate in this edition as well as in subsequent ones. Quite a large number of confirmed  Original Equipment Manufacturers from all over the world are already booking for space to be at the show. 

The aim of bringing them to Lagos which is the hub of automotive business in Africa is to enable Nigerians and other Africans engaged in auto spare business work out rewarding and lasting business relationships with the main companies engaged in the manufacture of auto spare parts. On the Motor Fair, Mr. Agwu who is also the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited stated “we are equally packaging this edition to add more value to their participation.

”  Though majority of them are having deeply tough time in business I still urge them to be part of this show so as to use it to tell their stories better as they demonstrate capabilities and display potentials to attract the needed attention from the policy makers.”

 Nobody can tell our story better than us. The dynamics and current developments in the sector makes it imperative that we all should join hands to bring the issues confronting the sector to the front burner of economic discuss in the nation and seeing to the possibility of attracting the needed attention.” He however, disclosed that all strategies have been deployed to ensure that the fair more than ever before receives the needed attention from participants, institutional cum professional and individual buyers as well as visitors.

 “We are packaging a show that could effectively be used by the participants and visitors to maximize the benefits that they drive from the fair. This edition will bring out all the potentials and investment opportunities that abound in the Nigerian automobile industry, which we know are very attractive so that the existing and potential stakeholders will utilise the opportunities offered by the Lagos Motor Fair and Autoparts Expo Africa holding at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos from the 24th to the 29th of April 2017, to drive them to the maximum”, he announced. According to him; this edition of the annual event is set to provide the litmus test to the shape of things in the industry with the current paradigm shift in the economy, government and the automotive sector. “The quality and quantity of showcased automobiles is undoubtedly the primary yardstick of measuring the success of any auto exhibition. 

This means that auto enterprises showcasing at any exhibition must ensure visibility, wholeness and completeness, not leaving anything to chance”. “The Fair remains the unparalleled gathering of established brands as well as new entrants, ranging from passenger busses, cars, trucks, spare parts, accessories, lubricants, financials and many more; adding that the importance of continuously staging the show cannot be over-emphasized as all hands must be on deck to promote and support investments into the sector, as it occupies a strategic position in enhancing the economic development of Nigeria”.