At Agrofood fair, expert lauds economic diversification

Managing Director of Agrofood and Plastprintpack, Paul Marz, has expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon become self-sufficient and an export nation given its drive towards economic diversification.

He said Nigeria was among the three largest importers of enabling technology with agricultural technology worth 50 million euro, as well as food processing and packaging technology worth 228 million euro.

Others, he said, are plastics technology worth 54 million euro and printing and paper processing technology worth 41 million euro, noting that trade would support the economy in its transition process.

He spoke at the opening ceremony of the fourth International Trade show on Agriculture, Food Processing, Packaging Technology and Hospitality in Lagos.

Marz, who expressed joy that the country’s economy was expanding called for more investments in the agricultural sector.

He said: “The Nigerian economy is expanding again. After the economic crisis, Nigeria now sees a lot of positive development resulting from a re-orientation. Nigeria is no longer solely relying on its oil business but is focusing more on diversification.

“Agricultural production used to be the backbone of the Nigerian economy and is now determined to regain this status. Government and the private sector are pushing for manufacturing of high quality made in Nigeria products.”

“Therefore, Nigeria needs investments in the agricultural industry, starting from the farms and covering the entire value chain through food and beverages processing and packaging towards the finished products available in supermarkets, restaurants and hotels throughout the country and abroad.”

He stated that the company is contributing to the challenge by bringing together technology leaders from around the world with Nigerian and West Africa producers; hence the event creates a unique opportunity to discuss and develop projects among industry professionals.

Marz added that the trade fair features 142 exhibitors from 22 countries and each of them is a leader in their respective field.

The exhibitors came from Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Benin, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy and Jordan.

Others are the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Taiwan and the United Kingdom (UK).