The Executive Director of Sterling Bank, Mr Abubakar Suleiman has said that Manufacturing Expo was set to give local manufacturers a platform to network and learn new ways of increasing productivity.
The expo which will be sponsored by Sterling Bank Plc in collaboration with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and other associations is in line with the bank’s efforts at promoting entrepreneurship in the country.
Suleiman who spoke in Lagos on the forth coming expo said the bank was always willing to actively participate in initiatives that will encourage local manufacturers and other entrepreneurs as they are key to the industrial resurgence of the country.
Suleiman emphasised that the prevailing harsh economic climate in the country, especially the scarcity of foreign exchange, had made it imperative for organisations to assist the government in promoting local production of goods and services.
According to him, “The worst thing you can do is to throw money at the manufacturing sector. The fundamental thing is for entrepreneurs to have specific knowledge that will help them to grow their business. They should know about governments’ policies and how these affect them.”
He further explained that the bank was sponsoring the expo because it believed the event will help to increase demand for locally produced goods.
Citing Made-in-Nigeria cables and wires, which he said have been proven to be superior to imported brands, he noted that many Nigerians tended to believe that locally produced goods were of poor quality even without having purchased and used such products.
He revealed that in addition to the sponsorship of the expo, Sterling Bank was also planning to increase its support for the manufacturing sector.
He said, “The expo is not a one-off event. We are opening ourselves to the manufacturing sector; if it becomes necessary to put finance behind the sector, we will.”
Suleiman pointed out that the bank’s recent deal with leading indigenous auto firm, Innoson Motors
Limited, was in line with its efforts to increase support for local manufacturers. Also speaking at the press conference, the Director, Corporate Affairs at MAN, Mr. Segun Oshidipe, commended Sterling Bank’s support for the association and
its sponsorship of the expo.
He stated that the expo would expose MAN members to the latest technology and products and propel them to compete on the global stage.
