From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
The Enugu State Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), has said that the 2024 Enugu international trade fair will focus more on promoting made in Nigeria products, assuring that the fair which is on it’s 35th edition will live up to expectations.
The President of ECCIMA, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo who briefed newsmen alongside other ECCIMA council members on Wednesday, said the 35th edition will hold from Saturday, April 5 to April 15, 2024.
He explained that the focus to promote Made in Nigeria products arose from the need to offset the nation’s foreign exchange deficit.
He stated,”The theme of this year’s Fair is “Promoting Made in Nigeria Products for Global Competitiveness.The current economic challenges in the country as a result of the dwindling revenue form our mono foreign exchange earner, which is oil, calls for concerted efforts towards diversifying our nation’s economy.
“Hence, the need to promote made in Nigeria products in the global market to attract foreign interest, increase export of non-oil products and then offset our foreign exchange deficit, cannot be over emphasized.
“Increasing local production and promotion of our locally made goods is the most important song to be singing now, until we restore the true glory or value of the Naira as well as our national economy,” he said.
As a means of encouraging members of the public to participate and engage with exhibitors for business deals,the ECCIMA boss said no gate fee will be charged to gain entrance to the fair ground,throughout the 10-day event(April 5-April 15).
According to him, efforts were being consolidated towards bringing back a number if big companies that stopped participating in the fair due to poor exhibition infrastructure at the complex.
“These companies have decided to join ECCIMA in its move to use Public-Private-Partner (PPP) arrangement in developing the Enugu International Trade Fair. Most of them have also indicated interest in having permanent space where they can develop their permanent exhibition stands/halls.
“We are optimistic that despite the current economic challenges, the 35th Enugu International Trade Fair will be successfully hosted as we have do a lot of work towards its success,” Jideonwo said.
Jideonwo, applauded Enugu State Government for partering the chamber and agreeing to asphalting the roads within the fair complex before its commencement.
