Board To Turn TBS Into International Business Centre

Tafawa Balewa Square [TBS]

After many years of neglect, the management of the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos has commenced rehabilitation work on the historical monument and plans to turn it into a national trade and international business centre.

The Managing Director, Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board, Mrs. Aisha Bakari, said the rehabilitation of the Independence arcade was being executed through a public-private partnership in line with the Infrastructural Concession and Regulatory Commission’s guideline.

She said this during a sensitisation seminar on the establishment of the National Trade and International Business Centre for the South West zone in Lagos.

“Two buildings within the Independence Building premises have been rehabilitated and fitted for the immediate takeoff of the National Trade and International Business Centre,” she said.

Bakari added that the NTIBC would serve as the engine room for commerce, promote domestic and international trade, and propel Nigeria towards the realisation of its vision of being one of the world’s 20 largest economies by 2020.

According to her, the centre will seek to bring together all types of investors, entrepreneurs and business people, representatives of various associations, chambers of commerce, and key government ministries, departments and agencies all under one roof.

The managing director noted that the location of the 25-storey Independence Building under construction in the Central Business District of Lagos was ideal.

“The NTIBC will greatly enhance and promote the Lagos mega city project,” she said.

Bakari also said the centre’s facilities and services would be geared to meet the business and leisure needs of visitors.

According to her, the proposed services include provision of trade and economic information on domestic and international markets; forwarding of foreign trade and business inquiries to prospective partners; advertising of trade and commercial offers worldwide; and conducting market research on economic regions, industries, companies and products.

It will also provide a database of genuine businesses in the country and a link with all chambers of commerce, relevant trade associations, professional organisations and key government facilitating and regulatory agencies.

The centre, according to her, will also be a one stop plug in the Economic Community of West African States’ economies and will be involved in the organisation of trade missions, excursions, and matchmaking; conduct of educational workshops on trade and commerce; hosts international and local trade library; and cater for small and large and large business parties.