UNIDO underscores importance of  made-in-Nigeria goods to economic devt.

…Urges FG to support local manufacturers involved in production of  made-in-Nigeria goods.

Due to the prevailing economic situation in the world, and in particular in the African region, the time is apt for all Nigerians to start patronising goods and services produced locally in Nigeria to encourage local manufactures to support the economy growth.

 The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Regional Director for West and Central African regions Mr. Jean Bakole, who made this submission at the opening of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Three-Day Made in Nigeria Exhibition in Lagos , on Tuesday, said Nigeria as a leading economy in Africa, is expected to make steady progress through accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

 According to him, “in order to achieve this and promote economic growth and sustainable development, there is need to support local manufacturers/MSME and Start-ups who are involved in producing made-in-Nigeria goods.

“Over the years, Nigeria has been growing other countries’ economies through over-dependence on imported goods, especially those which have local substitutes. Yet, Nigeria can easily experience a breakthrough in the quest for local content development and a stable, strong and advanced economy if Nigerians would encourage the production and patronise made-in-Nigeria products.

“It is a well-known fact that the economy of any nation grows rapidly when locally made goods are promoted through patronage, first by its people then through export. Over-dependence on importation of goods weakens the currency, creates unemployment, and consistently reduces the GDP.

“On the other hand, local production will promote gainful employment for Nigerians and will reduce the dependence on the consumption of foreign products and reduce poverty.”

 Bankole said the government of Nigeria is showing greater interest and providing more support for local production to encourage the growth of local industries. The intervention of the Federal Government in developing local industries will result in a boom in the growth of local businesses.

Thus, local production of various goods is beginning to gain grounds and the materials produced locally can compete favourably with the imported ones. Nigerians are increasingly using products branded made-in-Nigeria.

 This development, he said, will no doubt attract several benefits to the country including an increase in its GDP, generation of employment opportunities and reduction in the cost of production.

“Therefore, government should sustain the tempo through appropriate policies, provision of basic infrastructure (energy, roads, etc) and other key incentives as well as effective continued support to MAN and its members,” he said.

UNIDO is a specialised UN Agency with a broad mandate in promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development. In Nigeria, the UN agency, through the Country Programme is promoting the formulation of appropriate industrial policies, development of MSMEs and Startups by providing technical support to them to produce standard and high-quality products locally.

  The Regional Director said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, UNIDO supported about 174 local MSMEs to produce PPEs and other standard and quality healthcare products.

UNIDO in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission is implementing the West Africa Competitiveness and Quality infrastructure Project (WACQIP) to improve the quality of locally manufactured goods in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.

The activities involved setting-up quality testing laboratories, developing the ECOWAS certification Mark, and digitalization of the processes for the harmonization of standards and technical regulations, as well as the Quality management Systems of enterprises.

 The overall objective is to manufacture standard and high-quality products within its member states that will be consumed locally as well as for regional (AfCFTA) and international markets.

Said  Bankole, “in UNIDO, we show greater interest and provide more support for local production in order to encourage the growth of local industries.

“Therefore, I implore MAN and all standards regulatory agencies to provide all the necessary guidance to local producers to ensure their products meet local, regional and global quality and necessary standards. This will encourage greater consumption of locally produced goods and reduce over-dependence on imported goods, especially those which have local substitutes.

“Ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, I would like to congratulate the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and all industrialists in the country and pledge UNIDO’s continuous support and collaboration to strengthen local manufacturers to produce standard and quality made-in-Nigeria products to promote economic growth, sustainable development and reduce poverty.

“On this note, I declare the exhibition of made-in-Nigeria products open. I encourage all participants to take a guided tour of the exhibition stand and patronize made-in-Nigeria products.”