The Commissioner for Commerce who serves as Chairman of the steering committee for the rebranded Cross River Trade Fair, Mrs. Abigail Duke Orok, has stated that this year’s trade fair will create new trade and enhance business prospects for local enterprises in the state.
Duke outlined the ambitious plan for the rebranded Cross River Trade Fair, set to take place from November 15 to 26, 2024, at the U.J. Esuene Sports Stadium in Calabar, under the theme “In Support of Our Shared Prosperity.”
She revealed that the Trade Fair is being organized in collaboration with the Calabar and Ikom Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprise (NASME), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), etc, who are expected and are willing to attract a large and quality participation from their members.
Duke highlighted the state government’s preparedness to organize the fair, emphasizing that its primary aim is to showcase the state’s industrial, commercial, agricultural, raw materials, and mineral capabilities to draw investment opportunities through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Additionally, the event will still include the traditional exchange of goods and services.
“The Central Planning Committee (CPC) was inaugurated on the 22 of August, 2024; with membership drawn from the Government Bureaucracy, Organized Private Sector, and Technocrats with cognate experience in the organization of Trade Fairs.
“The target participants will include the 18 L.G.As of the State, Private Companies within and outside the State, Foreign embassies/consulates, and state Governments within the South-South, South-East and other Zones of the Country.
“It in envisaged however that, as soon as the Trade Fair ends, very close to the take-off, of the Christmas Festivities most exhibitors should see reasons to stay back for the festival, she emphasized.
The Commerce Commissioner praised the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, for his support in approving the fair, which aims to revitalize and enhance economic activities in the state.
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