Abuja trade fair to host over 20 countries – DG
Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu is the Director General of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). In this interview he speaks on the forthcoming 12th Abuja International Trade Fair and its benefits to local businesses. Excerpts:
How will the forthcoming 12th Abuja International Trade Fair boost economic activities in Abuja?
The major responsibility of every chamber of commerce all over the world is to foster and boost businesses in the cities and nations. They also boost business relationships among businessmen and members of chambers of commerce. The 12th Abuja International Trade Fair, which is taking place between the 21st of September and 7th of October 2017, is meant to bring in manufacturers, exporters, importers, agriculturists, miners from all over the world into Abuja within this period of time.
We expect that many countries that have shown interest by paying for their stands will come in with their various businessmen and women. We have over 20 countries that have shown interest in the fair, and we are still counting. A lot of stakeholders will also be matching themselves with manufacturers to be their representatives in Nigeria and Africa. Those are the benefits of having trade fairs. We expect that we are going to have large number of participants coming in this time.
What about the enabling environment in Abuja?
Abuja may not look like the commercial nerve centre of the country but it is the capital of Nigeria and because we are in the capital of our country, we expect that business decisions are taken from Abuja. It is also our expectation that business men and women are closer to the seat of power in order for them to leverage from the position we occupy in Abuja. That enabling environment exists in Abuja, and it is for the people who are going to come from all over the world.
What do local business stakeholders stand to gain from this fair?
The trade fair is going to be for investors, innovators, inventors and local manufacturers, including small and medium scale entrepreneurs to showcase their products to the world. You may be producing from one factory somewhere in one location, but not until you come out to this kind of environment would people know what you are producing. So by coming here, you are going to see a lot of distributors and dealers coming to partner with you and your products and to distribute them all over the country and even exporting them. It is an opportunity for manufacturers all over the country and the world to showcase their products and to be known. These are the advantages they have coming to the fair.