Abia govt set to expand business enterprise through international trade fair

In a bid to expand the Aba business community and expose it to the world, the Abia State Government has announced the Aba International Trade Fair, which will take place between November and December 2024.

Speaking during a press conference on the planned trade fair, the planning committee chairman, Chief Nwaka Inem, noted that the timing of the trade fair is ideal.

The committee chairman, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce, and Industry, emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “This is to broaden the scope, the reach, and the impact of the Aba business community.”

“We expect that what will be done this year will send signals about what will continue under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti,” he disclosed, adding that the venue for the trade fair, Aba Mega Mall, is ideal for participants from the neighboring states.

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Chief Inem revealed that two reputable consultants, Vivarmark Communication Limited and Global Flourish Exhibitions Limited, have been selected to work with the committee. He explained that the decision to use these consultants was based on time, expertise, and cost-effectiveness. He noted that many countries have indicated interest in participating in the trade fair and appreciated the Governor’s commitment to the event.

Also speaking, the President of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ACCIMA), Sir Geoffrey Uzoagbara, thanked Governor Otti for the event and expressed hope that the aims of the trade fair would be achieved, stating that the international trade fair has never happened before.

“Over the years, we have been holding trade fairs, but this year, we have added ‘international’ in terms of what the state is looking at. This is to highlight what the state is now. We have not had it like this before in terms of our relationship with the government,” he said, assuring that they would do everything possible to ensure the program’s success.

In their reactions, the Managing Director of Global Flourish Exhibitions Limited, Felix Ekarika, and the representative of Vivarmark Communication Limited, Marcus Ijioma, commended the state government for repackaging the trade fair. They stated that the focus is to attract direct foreign investment and expressed pride in being associated with the state Governor’s business promotion efforts.