As the 12th Abuja International Trade Expo Organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) kicks off ,the organizers have urged the Federal Government to priortise infrastructural development in the country.
Tonia Shoyale, the director of the Chamber at a joint press briefing on Tuesday with the Senior Manager, Trade Facilitation Olorunmaiye Olawale on the upcoming event said one of the chamber’s mandates was to reposition the manufacturing sector as the country’s engine for growth and a transformation.
Sholaye said many foreign exhibitors have expressed interest and paid to participate, stating that the statistics have shown that 80% local participants and 20% foreign exhibitor were coming for the fair.
She disclosed that in all 35 foreign countries would be coming to the fair which include: Ghana Senegal Mali, Egypt and Phillipines, Korea, Cameroon and Pakistan,among others.
“During the trade fair business people would exhibit what our SME’s have produced and what Nigerians have in stock which include agro products, mineral resources among others,” she stated.
The fair according to the organisers would be to continue the policy of the Buhari administration especially from recession to self sufficiency, we would promote accelerated industrialization, Agro allied products, the Role of Private Sector as we want to have 100% paradigm shift from what obtains before in fairs, and would also focus more on agriculture production and leave out the oil sector alone’’ She maintained.
She explained that during the fair manufacturers were expected to interface with buyers with a view, to striking multi – million business agreements.
According to her time has gone when trade fairs were seen as a place for only buying and selling but a place to show – case one’s business deals.
On security the Director emphasized that the organizers were aware of the security situations in the country and has made arrangements with all security organizations to safeguard the area.
Shoyale informed that the fair is targeted at promoting accelerated development of Commerce and industry, promoting revitalization and diversification of the Nigeria economy by promoting the nations non – oil exports, particularly the Agro allied products and mineral resources and provide access to resource and technology findings.
HARRISON EDEH, ABUJA
