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By Temitope Salami
Ode-Remo (Ogun), March 7, 2017 (NAN) Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Bimbo Ashiru, says the government will continue to partner with investors and manufacturers to ensure optimal production and employment generation.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ode-Remo, Remo Local Government Area, Ogun, Ashiru said strong partnerships between government and investors was vital to promoting economic growth.
The commissioner spoke on the sidelines of a facility tour of facilities of a defence systems and gadgets provider, ProForce Limited.
According to him, the state had put in place effective legislation to provide value for investment and enhance industrialisation in line with the vision of Gov. Ibikunle Amosun-led administration.
Ashiru, however, urged local manufacturers to show more commitment in developing marketing strategies for enduring economic benefits and job creation.
He said manufacturers should tap opportunities in backward integration, to enhance their production capacity using local content.
The commissioner said that this would help them set good records for market penetration and increase the value chain of their end products.
“The only way we can improve our value-chain and strengthen the economy is by looking inwards for economic solutions through research, innovation and enterprise.
“In the manufacturing process, you are bound to create employment opportunities for third parties and the brand you create defines your objectives and market impact.
“Branding is a vital component of the marketing process and as such manufacturers should always endeavour to look inwards for innovation in developing their products.
“I am encouraging them to make sure they brand their products locally to get real value for them,” he said.
Ashiru further explained that in order to achieve sustainable success, manufacturers must repeatedly re-examine their company’s sense of purpose.
“To create a sustainable business, you have to understand how crucial it is to build brand equity and emotional connections with customers.
“That requires introspection, self-awareness, and a keen sense of strategy, both in the short and long term,” he said.
The commissioner urged local government councils and host communities to always support business concerns in their domain through peaceful co-existence, integration and capacity development. (NAN)
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Maharazu Ahmed