No fewer than 150 exhibitors are expected to participate in the forthcoming 31st Enugu International Trade Fair, an official of the chamber, Mr Ordega Jideonwo has said.
Jideonwu, the 2nd Deputy President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) disclosed in Enugu.
He said that the figure represented the number of exhibitors that expressed interest to participate in the 12-day event.
He expressed satisfaction with the number of stands that had so far been erected at the trade fair complex, adding that it was an indication that the event would be a huge success.
“The number of exhibitors that have been assigned their lots is promising and we are expecting more to come,” he said.
Jideonwo said that the 2020 edition of the trade fair would be special as the chamber had a deliberate plan to encourage local entrepreneurs.
“Unlike in past trade fairs, the chamber will erect some stands and allocate smaller spaces to some categories of entrepreneurs that cannot afford the bigger lots.
“This is one of the incentives we are providing to such categories of entrepreneurs. This is a way of encouraging the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state,” he said.
He said that the chamber had made adequate security arrangement to ensure the safety of participants during the event.
Jideonwu said that the police, army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) would provide adequate security for exhibitors and others.
The trade fair complex has become a beehive of activities as exhibitors have started erecting their stands.
The trade fair will start on March 13 and end on March 23.