Houston 22: Non-oil export trade will boost Nigeria’s GDP – CYMS, OY-ICT

Ahead of the 2022 international trade show scheduled to hold in Houston Texas in July this year, Young entrepreneurs on Thursday gathered at the Nicon Luxury hotel in Abuja to showcase their products.

The mini exhibition and trade show of the Organization of Youth in International Trade and Commerce (OY-ITC), which is for Micro, small and medium enterprise (MSMEs) was targeted at preparing entrepreneurs for the international show and also avail them the opportunity to interact with one another. It also provides them the avenue to learn the skills of branding and packaging to meet international standard.

The aim of international conference and trade show, CAPITAL POST has learnt, is to diversify the country’s economy by activating the non-oil export championed by creative young entrepreneurs and women in Nigeria.

The Nigeria non-oil export trade cuts across agro allied products, leather and garment production, value chain creation, manufacturing and other specialized services including entertainment.

Addressing journalists at the exhibition stand, the Director General of Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS), Ambassador Obinna Nwaka explained that Nigeria dependence on crude oil can no longer be sustained hence the need for economic diversification into non-oil export trade.

Nwaka said the International trade show will project made in Nigeria products to the international market, provide foreign direct investment opportunities into Nigeria that will further boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

On his part, the President, Organisation of Youth in International Trade and Commerce (OY-ITC) said the programme will assist entrepreneurs grow non oil export trade resource base from the present 13% to 30% within the next 5 years.

“This effort will see revenue grow from about 1.8 Trillion Naira to about 4 trillion Naira. This would amount to transformation of Nigeria into a major commercial hub in Africa and effectively position Nigeria as indeed – the giant of Africa.

“Expectedly, today’s mini exhibition and trade show is a sneak of the main event of the Houston 2022 Trade Show and Exhibition. The theme of mini exhibition is the Role of Trade Exhibitions in Promoting Non-Oil Export Trade in Nigeria.

“The OY-ITC is emphasizing that deliberate efforts must be made to promote non oil export trade. All that is required is diligence from project management – producing/manufacturing, processing, branding, modeling and to marketing.

“The mini exhibition today has demonstrated that products branding and modeling are key components to attracting consumers appeal for non oil export commodities”, he added.

The OY-ITC president however charged the Nigerian government, big local conglomerates, financial institutions, the organized private sector, and the semi-formal sectors to ensure they support the project in order to be seen as part of the noble effort to promote non oil export trade.

Before the end of the program, the Director General CYMS, Mr Obinna Nwaka also assured the entrepreneurs interested to participate in the forthcoming US Trade show of recommendation letter to State government and relevant stakeholders to liaise with Mr Kelechi Ugwumba, the CYMS’s Director, Contacts and Mobilization for such gesture.

He also used the medium to hint them of the National Conference on Peaceful coexistence which a live coverage has been approved by the federal government as another great opportunity for entrepreneurs to have their products seen all over the world.

The Houston ’22 which will take place from July 25th to 30th at the prestigious Houston Expo Event Centre, Houston Texas, USA is the first trade show and exhibition from Nigeria to the USA.