LAGOS, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Nigeria's Lagos state, on Monday assured Chinese investors of ample business opportunities in the state that would be mutually beneficial to both Nigeria and China.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance while declaring open the "China Hall" at the ongoing 2019 Lagos International Trade Fair in Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub.
Over two thousand foreign and local exhibitors are participating in the 33rd edition of the fair which has the theme "Connecting Businesses, Creating Value".
The governor said Lagos had a large market, and the state could become a fashion and technology hub with the right investments.
He said the government would continue to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive through policy implementation and provision of infrastructure.
On his part, Liu Junsheng, Commercial Consul of the Consulate of the People's Republic of China, said China was showcasing four fairs in the fields of textile, housewares, auto spare parts and mechatronics.
"We firmly believe that our four fairs will be among the largest and the most effective and professional global B2B exhibition and trade platforms in both Nigeria and West Africa," he said.
Earlier, Babatunde Ruwase, the president of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said China was very important to Nigeria, noting the Asian country is Nigeria's largest source of imports.
Nigeria is also one of China's major trading partners in Africa, the Nigerian official told his audience.
"The ties between our two countries continue to wax stronger on growing bilateral trade relations and strategic cooperation," he added.
"Many Chinese investors and enterprises are based in Nigeria operating in various sectors including oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture, steel processing and construction among others," he said.
Organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the annual fair will run till November 10 in Lagos.
Thousands of visitors and hundreds of local and foreign exhibitors from Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, China and Germany are expected to participate in the fair.
