Kaduna Fair

Exhibitors at the just concluded 43rd edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair on Sunday described the trade fair as a “huge success.”

The exhibitors made the commendation in Kaduna during the closing ceremony of the event.

They, however, advised the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), organisers of the event, to henceforth, do more on publicity.

One of them, Mr Jibirn Abubakar, Trade Fair Manager and Coordinator, Dangote Group, commended KADCCIMA for organising the event, which he described as “very successful”.

Abubakar pointed out that despite COVID-19, insecurity and economic downturn, KADCCIMA was still able to organise the event.

According to him, the trade fair offered Dangote Group and other companies, the opportunity to showcase their products and deepen market penetration.

“It offered us opportunity to deepen our sales, meet new partners in the form of investors and distributors, as well as  offer us the opportunity to listen to our customers and get feedback.

“The feedback is very critical for us because we will use it to improve our services and meet the yearnings and aspirations of our consumers, distributors and investors.

“However, there is room for improvement, particularly in the area of publicity,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Mubarak Labaran, Distributor, FARSMAN Holding Ltd., also expressed satisfaction with the turnout of sales.

Labaran said that initially, sales were very slow  because of the low turnout of people, but it later picked up.

“We were able to connect with more people who declared interest in our products, and I am very optimistic that this new connection will open up more business opportunities for the company,” he said.

Also, Ms Dorothy Ojo, a first-time exhibitor at the fair, said that the experience was great, and that she got a little patronage, but not as much as she expected.

“I am a regular visitor to the famous Kaduna International Trade Fair. In fact, the huge crowd that used to characterise the event encouraged me to exhibit my products this year.

“I sell manual blenders of all kinds for fruits and vegetables, manual slicers, juice extractors and different other products, but unfortunately, there was low turnout of people due to several factors, particularly insecurity,” she lamented.

She advised KADCCIMA to engage in massive publicity, months before the event, to maintain the high influx of people the annual event was known for.

Mr Christian Mberedeogu, Regional Distributor, Longton High Tech. Ltd, also a first-time exhibitor, said that although the turnout of people was low, it was a wonderful experience for him.

India has been awarded the best foreign participant at the just concluded 43rd Kaduna International Trade Fair, organised by Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA).

The award was presented in Kaduna on Sunday, at the close of the 10-day event, which commenced on Feb. 25.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Indian High Commission, Abuja, Mr Mohan Yadav, General Manager, Chellco Industries Limited, thanked KADCCIMA for the recognition.

The recognition would further strengthen business partnership between India, KADCCIMA, and the Kaduna state government.

“I feel excellent and excited receiving this award today on behalf of the Indian High Commission.

“We have been participating in the Kaduna International Trade Fair and we will continue to be part of its successes.

“We are into manufacturing of textile, solar plants, agricultural machinery and implements, among several others.

“A lot of Indian companies are in Kaduna state and other parts of Nigeria, contributing to the economic development of the country, particularly the manufacturing sector,” he said.

He added that the Indian companies had established business partnership with the representatives of Chad Chamber of Commerce, courtesy of the Kaduna International Trade Fair.

He said that the Chadian delegation even visited some of the Indian companies, describing the development as “excellent outing” for the Indian businesses in Nigeria.

Yadav commended KADCCIMA for organising the event suceesfully against all odds, and expressed hope for more business opportunities in Kaduna state.

Also, the President, Kaduna Indian Association, Mr Rama Venkat, told NAN that the annual event was a great opportunity for the Indian business community in Nigeria to showcase their product.

Venkat, Chief Operating Officer, AMA Medical Manufacturing Ltd., added that the Indian community in Nigeria would continue to partner with KADCCIMA and the state government, to bring more investment into the state.

The overall winner of the 43rd edition is Nigerian Gas Company, while Dangote Group and Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), emerged 1st and 2nd runner up respectively.

DICON also received the Best Exhibitors of Innovation Technology Award, with Association of Nigeria Investors in second place.

Kaduna State emerged the Best State Exhibitor, with Nasarawa and Plateau States as the 1st and 2nd runner up respectively, while Kauru Local Government Council of Kaduna State received the Best Agricultural Stand Award.

The Most Organised Stand Award went to DICON/Nigerian Defence Academy/Command Engineering Deport and PAN TIGGO 8 received the Quality Product Award, while the Owodelola and Company received the Most Consistent Participant Award.

The Crowd-Pulling Award went to Mamuda Beverages Nigeria ltd. the producer of Pop Cola, while Danfulani -Fulbe Da’awa received the Best Exhibitor of Arts and Craft Award.

The Central Bank of Nigeria received the Best Financial Organisation Stand Award and Illela International Ltd. the Best Exhibitors of House Ware Award.

The Best Stand for Volume of Business and Reception Award went to the FARSMAN Nig. Ltd, while the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency received the Most Outstanding Government Agency Award.

Also, The Nigerian Communication Commission and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance received the Best Public Promotion Stand Award.