Trade Fair

Organisers of the 11th International Trade Fair/Expo, on Thursday in Abuja, said that the event would provide an avenue to strengthen Nigeria’s productivity strength.  

The organisers said the fair which would commence June 21 and end August 23 in Abuja, must increase productivity to improve the value of naira.  

Described the Theme of the event, “Diversification as Catalyst to our National Development’’ as apt, Amb. Israel Edward, Chairman, Paradise Production, emphasised the need for Nigeria to move away from mono economy.  

He said that no fewer than 1000 participants from 24 countries were expected to attend the event.  

According to him, many inventors and manufacturers are coming to show the world that we can invent.  

“They will let the world know how we can actually depend on our own production and create things that ordinarily we thought we could not produce.  

“People will come and start buying from us and we will also have it.  

“The trade fair is going to pull a lot on intellects we have in this country and it will encourage people to start being creative and come out with their ingenuity,’’ Edward said  

On his part, the co-organiser of the event, Innocent Ogu, President, African Legacy International, said that the need to move the country from consumption to production economy necessitated the trade fair.  

According to him, “we are using this expo to give interest to all sectors of the economy, giving them the opportunity to drive the economy for national development.  

“It is expected that ministries, departments and agencies, the private sector as well as exhibitors are keying into the event to come and exhibit their products and day-to-day delivery of their services.  

“It is an avenue to showcase made-in-Nigeria products and our cultural heritage.  

“So, we are hoping that all aspects of the economy with farmers in the village, wood makers in the street, designers in the workshops, shoe makers in the factories will all be working towards the national economic growth.  

“We are using this trade fair to galvanise the production strength of the country to say that our economy can sustain our national development.  

“Our foreign visitors are coming to interface with our local producers so that our products can attract more attention and get the real value,’’ Ogu said.  

Similarly, Lawrence Nzenagu, National President, Association of Nigerian Inventors (ANI) said that the trade fair would serve as a platform for inventors to make positive impressions.  

Nzenagu, however, appealed to various state governments and the corporate bodies to support inventors with a view to promoting knowledge and creating employment and wealth.  

He said that made-in-Nigeria products were receiving global acceptance due to improved qualities thus the need to stimulate increased patronage.  

According to him, the trade fair will provide a platform for the inventors and artisans to deepen their market and improve the quality of the goods produced locally.  

He said, “The trade fair would be a celebration of success in the advancement of inventions and Nigerian made products”.  

The Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) says trade fairs were not only for improvement on trade but also investment opportunities.

The Director General (DG), Mr Usman Saulawa , said on Sunday, in Kaduna that companies were still registering for the ongoing 43rd Kaduna International Trade Fair.

“We have companies from Chad and Morocco who are already here, in fact, those of Chad came in groups and because of that we are going into a sort of meeting with them and business communities in Kaduna.

“The meeting, which would be held tomorrow, would discuss how to improve trade relationships like exports from Chad to Nigeria.

“The Nigerian ambassador in Chad was here at the opening ceremony to tell us the opportunities that are in Chad so that our members can benefit; they had a discussion with the Kano business community, they are having the same thing with Kaduna.

He said some of them, including foreign participants, were still trooping in for the event.

“Some of the delegation from Morocco are around, some are leaving and coming back again by tomorrow, we also have delegations from Egypt, Pakistan and India.

He noted that the essence of trade fairs was not only improvement on trade but also investment opportunities.

“There are some that have the intentions of investing here in Kaduna, and that is why even the Kaduna investment promotion agency (KADIPA) is having a stand at the trade fair.

“Those that want to get investment policies for foreign and even local investment will go to the KADIPA stand and get the necessary information.

“A number of research institutes are also here with their findings, people should come and see; there are quite a number of new things.

He expressed the hope that at the end of the fair, most of the transactions would be consummated and investments would still flourish into the state and the country in general.

“Once you set up or coordinate our food processing business, to interact with them means that the export potentials of Kaduna State and Nigeria would indeed be expanded.

“This is what we are trying to do in this year’s seminar that talks about restructuring and re-strategising Nigeria’s economy for competitiveness.

“We want to start with the West African sub-region, expand to Africa and then beyond, so, once we start in a small way, it will be improving quality of our products beyond the African continent to other shores in the world.

“It is good for us. Traditionally, in the past, February has been our trade fair month, we have come back to the original. Last year, we had to shift it about three times, we want to take our stand on February.

“Gov. El-Rufai has also assured the chamber all the necessary support and cooperation to ensure that the fair was hitch free, he said.

He called on the public to participate and see what is obtainable and a quiet number of new things that had not been featuring in the trade fair, but were now participating in this year’s fair.

The 43rd Kaduna International Trade Fair began  Feb. 25, and would end on March 6.

Only the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and the host, Kaduna state, have their pavilions opened for now, though more states are expected to come

The Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) is organising it’s maiden trade fair, ”Ikorodu Division Expo (IKODIV Expo 2021)’’ to explore business opportunities in the area.

The trade fair, holding between Dec. 2 and Dec. 12, Ikorodu, is organised by ICCI in partnership with the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) and Lagos state Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MCIC).

The organisers spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos on their expectations at the maiden fair.

The ICCI President, Prof. Kunle Wahab, said that boosting trade and economic activities had always been the culture of ikorodu people and the trade fair would further promote it.

Wahab said that IKODIV Expo was emulating Ikorodu Trade Company (ITC) in promoting indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.

”Whatever we are doing is just improving on what ITC started years back.

“When the ICCI was established, we thought it necessary to push for a trade fair in Ikorodu to promote indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.

“The plans for the trade fair started in 2019 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was  stopped, however today it is a reality .

“We hope to make the IKODIV trade fair an annual fair and all roads will lead to Ikorodu yearly for the fair,” he said.

Also, Chief Tele Oduloye, ICCI first Vice- President said it was good that the dream to have the fair materialised.

“This is the beginning of it all, we have had trade fairs in the past but we call this a maiden edition because of the collaboration between LASPOTECH, ICCI and MCIC, this is what makes it thick.

“The Lagos state government is in full support of the IKODIV trade fair and want to see how we will synergize a good relationship between the gown and the town,” Oduloye said.

He said that ICCI rented the stalls at the fair  for N20,000 for 10 days to exhibitors,

“We have made provision for a 100 exhibitors and vendors and we hope we will be able accommodate the crowd we are expecting this year.

“Our publicity for the fair this year is quite low because we are skeptical if the fair is going to be a reality but fortunately we are here now,” he said

Also, Mr Abayomi Baruwa, ICCI Director General expressed hope that businesses in the area would receive a boost.

“We are hopeful about our maiden IKODIV trade fair, we want to bring together businesses within Ikorodu division. It is our mandate as ICCI to assist the business community in the area.

“Our concern is to make sure there is rapid growth in terms of business and services. We want businesses to thrive in this environment

“This trade fair is a platform where businesses in the community can interact, liaise and get to meet potential buyers,” Baruwa said.

He noted that the fair was unique because after the 10-days, vendors could still display wares and services on the virtual platform all through the year.

 
The 2021 edition of the Edo Trade fair will begin from Nov. 12 to 27, 2021, Mrs Aina Omo-Ojeonu, President of the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA), said in Benin on Friday.
The theme of the trade fair is “Expanding the Frontiers of Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) through Collaboration and Capacity Building’’.
Omo-Ojeonu said the trade fair was being organised by the chamber in collaboration with Edo Government to expand the frontiers of MSMEs for exportation purposes.
She decried most agricultural products packaged by MSMEs stressing that they were being rejected at the international market.
She said that the 2021 Edo trade fair would be an avenue to link MSMEs to regulatory agencies in order to achieve better export standards.
“MSME is the main stay of the economy and we want to build their capacities so that they can expand their activities and do well at the international market.
“We want to link MSMEs to regulatory agencies like the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council to get the right information about exportation of goods and services.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area is another market our MSMEs must participate actively and we want to prepare them to harness the opportunities that the free trade area has to offered,’’ she said.
She said that the fair would feature the investiture of the 15th president and members of the Executive Council of BENCCIMA and data capturing for unemployed youths in the state.
She added that the 4th quarterly council meeting of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and business talent hunt would also hold during the fair.

By Anthony Areh

Turnout of visitors at the 2020 edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) improved has entered its seventh day, recording increasing turnout.

Exhibitors at the Tafawa Balewa Square venue attributed the development to the rush-hour syndrome as the 10-day event began to draw to a close.

Mrs Abimbola Omidiran, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Arts Gallery, said the number of visitors, though smaller than previous years due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, was nonetheless impressive.

“We know what the pandemic has done on numbers and citizen’s purchasing power, but visitors to the fair have greatly improved when compared to what

we had last week when it began,” she said.

Omidiran said the fair remained an excellent avenue for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to showcase their products.

Also, Mr Waheed Ismail, Showroom Manager, Thermocool, said the fair had picked up momentum both in sales and the number of visitors thronging the arena.

“We thank God that things have improved and is not as bad as we thought when it began.

“As you can see, the air is different, we have more people, and people are willing to buy items here which are cheaper than if you go outside,” he said.

Another exhibitor, Miss Doris Louis, a marketer with PWAN Group, a real estate firm, acknowledged that the turnout was not as impressive as other years, but was fair.

“Coronavirus did not dampen our spirits like that, and like you saw me trying to buy a perfume that cost about N10, 000 outside but was going for N6, 000 here, we are getting things at a very affordable rate.

“We that are into property brought down our rates to enable visitors at the fair get good bargain for their money to encourage them become landowners, she said.

Mrs Tonye Bello, a visitor to the fair, said a blender advertised online for N35, 000 was sold to her for N26, 000 after testing its functions.

” This year has been tough, but nothing can stop Nigerians, as we are a resilient bunch.

“I’m happy to get a good bargain and always look forward to the trade fair yearly to improve my kitchen equipment,” she said.

Also, Mr Yemi Fadahunsi, a textile dealer, said he came to buy textiles from merchants from Kano due to the lower prices they offered for durable fabrics.

“I’m here to pick up some materials that I plan to resell because they are affordable and also very durable and unique.

“The fair is a very good place to be and we look forward to next year as well,” he said.

Mrs Toki Mabogunje, President LCCI, urged exhibitors to take advantage of the fair’s virtual exhibition facility scheduled to run for a whole year.

By Moses Uwagbale

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says that the annual Abuja International Trade Fair (#AITF), targeting 500 local and foreign exhibitors, will run from Nov. 24 to Dec. 4, 2020.

The trade fair was earlier postponed as a result of the mayhem that trailed the ENDSARS protests.

A statement by Latifat Opoola, Media Officer of the ACCI, on Sunday in Abuja, noted that this year’s Fair, with the theme “Trade and Commerce Beyond Borders”, is aimed at using trade to boost Nigeria’s and Africa’s trade within and beyond borders of the continent.

According to Opoola, in compliance with the COVID-19 protocol put in place by the Presidential Task Force, the event will only showcase indoor and virtual exhibitions.

According to her, this is to make room for a controlled environment that will ensure compliance with COVID-19 measures.

“Over the years, Abuja International Trade Fair has been an amazing trade platform for international and domestic industries, leading brands and MSMEs to come together to transact, share market insights, cutting edge technology and expertise in an interactive environment.

“The ACCI has over the years provided a platform for sharing of trade, investment and market opportunities as well as information, and this year’s event will commence the introduction of a better platform for business networking.

“The Fair will also help buyers, investors and traders to foster business relationships that have been strained due to the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic.

“Over 500 exhibitors from within and outside Nigeria and from all sectors of the economy are expected to be participating in the Fair,” she said.

According to her, he exhibitors are expected from Agriculture, Manufacturing, Mining, Electricity, Oil and Gas, Tourism, Textile, Transport, Telecommunications, Financial and the Service sectors.

“Thousands of visitors from Nigeria, various African countries and from across the world are expected to participate both physically and virtually.

“Participants from the UK, U.S.A, India, Malasyia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, and China will also be at the Fair.

“With a team of trade professionals, we are committed to providing a conducive trading environment for our exhibitors, which will lead to the strategies and tactics needed to innovate, grow and promote businesses,” she said.

By Tanko Mohammed

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)  has  rescheduled the 2020 edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair because of the effects of recent anti-police protests.

Dr Muda Yusuf, Director-General of  LCCI, said that the fair which was scheduled to hold from Nov.5 to Nov. 15, 2020 has been rescheduled for between Dec. 4 to Dec. 13, 2020 at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos; both physically and virtually simultaneously.

Yusuf  in a statement on Thursday also said that  the postponement was occasioned by the economic disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent #EndSARS protests across the nation.

“The resolve to hold the 2020 edition of the fair is in line with the need for quick restoration of normalcy to the economic and commercial activities in Lagos State and our support for the ongoing ‘Protect Lagos’ Campaign.

“In addition to the general interest fair, the annual international business expo will also feature special days for corporate organisations to showcase their inventions, innovations, and sustainability initiatives simultaneously during  the fair.

“The focus, this year, is to facilitate trade and chart a way forward for the economy to exit the impending recession.

“The exhibition will also facilitate networking among exhibitors and between exhibitors and visitors.

“The fair is expected to attract a huge traffic of visitors seeking to take advantage of the networking opportunities and discounted prices.

“Corporate organisations including: multinational corporations, indigenous conglomerates and financial institutions as well as corporate organisations from the West African Subregion had indicated their  interests to participate at the exhibition,” he said.

Yusuf also stated that relevant agencies and departments of the government would be available to exhibit and attend to other exhibitors and visitors.

He added that agencies that had confirmed attendance to provide information and educate exhibitors and visitors are :  the Bank of Industry (BOI), the  Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC),  and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).