Customers at the ongoing 17th Abuja International Trade Fair, on Friday expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the fair.
The exhibitors also commended the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the private sector and other stakeholders for ensuring a hitch-free event.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Oct. 4 declared open the trade fair with the theme: “Creating an Export-Ready Market Through SMEs Digitisation’’.
Represented by Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Buhari recognised the importance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs to the economy, adding that developing the sector remained one of the priority areas of his administration.
While commending the exhibitors for displaying high quality goods at affordable prices, they urged the Federal Government to provide the necessary infrastructure, particularly machines and electricity to promote the activities of SMEs in the country.
According to Mrs Grace Nwosu, the products are surpassing my expectations and they are quite affordable when compared to prices in regular stores.
“This has shown that Nigeria is developing. Our products are beautiful enough to be exported and sold to other countries. We should be proud of our artisans,’’ she said.
On his part, Mr Suleiman Audu canvassed for increased sensitisation that would create the need awareness and attract increased patronage.
“The trade fair is an eye-opener for anyone who has Nigeria’s interest at heart and every effort must be in place to position made-in-Nigeria products the preferred choice,’’ Audu said.
Miss Ainau Hikmat urged government at all levels and the private sector to invest more in the activities of the SMEs.
According to Hikmat, the quality of products displayed here shows that SMEs operators have woken up to the reality of ensuring value addition to their products.
“They can do more if the needed support is provided.
“They need technical and financial support as well as capacity building to do more in packaging, branding and to meet the desired standard that will qualify their products for export,’’ she said.
Mr Kingsley Agwu, dealer of kitchen utensils and equipment, however complained of low patronage.
He blamed it on the rains.
“I believe that as the days progress, there would be improved patronage.
“This event is providing opportunities for manufacturers to communicate with product end users, handle customer complaints, and rewards brands, thereby, promoting businesses.
“It also provides an avenue for the distribution of trade, investment, market opportunities, and ideas that would greatly help sellers, buyers, investors, and the country to promote relationships in business,’’ Agwu said.
Similarly, Mrs Sadiya Idris a member of Greenland Natural Medicines said that the fair provided her opportunity to network with other producers of herbal medicine to improve her products.
“My focus is in the finishing, packaging of the products and efforts to raise the quality of my goods,’’ Sadiya said.
Mr Isaac Omoghkagbo said, “the trade fair is an opportunity to come with my family to explore the opportunities the event provides’’.
“It is an opportunity for us to get one or two items for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“The trade fair is the best place to source for products and update personal wardrobes as the goods were of high standard.
“I take up opportunities like the fair to restock my shop because I know that the products are durable and cheap,’’ Omoghkagbo said.
Also, Mrs Kelechi Uzoma, a dealer on local fabrics described the trade fair as a platform for brand establishment that would bring together various aspects of trade and industry.
The fair has given me a platform to showcase my “Ankara products’’ which is integral part of our identity as Nigerians.
“The resources that can be generated from these hand-made products are unlimited.
“Majority of what is placed on display here is created without the aid of industrial machines,” she said.
The President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, said that made-in-Nigeria goods were receiving global acceptance due to improved quality thus the need to stimulate increased patronage.
According to him, the trade fair will provide a platform for the artisans to deepen their market and improve the quality of the goods produced locally.
Abubakar said that the trade fair would be a celebration of success in the advancement of Nigerian made goods.
While commending the Federal Government for emphasising the need to buy goods made locally, Abubakar said that the country needed to look inwards to grow its economy.
“It is important to find a way of ensuring that we do not spend our scarce foreign exchange in importing products that we can make in this country,’’ he said.
