The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has stated that the ongoing 12th Abuja International Trade Fair is showcasing the country’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the international market for greater export.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, the incoming President of the Chamber, Kayode Adetokunbo said the trade fair afforded the SMEs operators the opportunity to network and learn about new development and marketing strategy from both local and foreign business ventures for two weeks.
According to him, “as you are no doubt aware, our trade fair serves as an exhibition that enables companies, organisations and individuals showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services, meet with industry partners and customers, peer review their activities and examine recent market trends and opportunities.”
He reiterated the commitment of the Chamber to continuously create a coherent and comprehensive business network. “We have become a centre of business information, support, training, and guidance. In the same manner, we have strived to attract investments by effectively networking and creating proactive business strategies.”
“Our activities have impacted positively on; agriculture, technology, invention strategies, sectors linkages, and trade facilitation. Meanwhile, the 12th edition of the International Trade Fair is another concrete step, which over the years deepened the horizon of economic activity among several players across the various sectors of the economy and nations. It is an avenue we have created to offer direct services and on a first-class scale to both local and international audience.”
Kayode said that “an opportunity has presented itself for us to, as a country, once more, take a diagnostic look at our comparative and competitive advantages with the singular objective of embarking on activities, programmes and projects that will reap from the benefits and gains of economic diversification.”
“The low-hanging fruit is conscious and deliberate effort on the government to undertake all-embracing decisions that would eliminate practices that impede the development of the non-oil export sector.”
He noted that “we have resolutely remained supportive to the growth and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in view of the critical role they have played over the years, that accounts for their critical contribution to national growth”. Adding that such sterling contributions will create jobs for various levels of skills, improve prospects for efficiency and technological growth, flexibility and innovative capability in the country’s commercial sector.
Meanwhile, some SMEs operators are lamenting the high cost of space at the trade fair ground. Tribune Online spoke with some of the operators who are calling for the reduction in the price.
Speaking with a food vendor, Ade Olamide revealed that she paid fifty thousand naira (N50, 000) for the space she has been given to set up her stand. “I paid N50, 000 for this space where my stand is, N50, 000 for two weeks, that too much.”
Another food vendor, Peace Okon told our reporter that she was afraid she might not recover her money before the trade fair is over. “I was told that the trade fair the get plenty customers, but since how many days now that we here, we never make any reasonable money, customer we no see, na few people the come buy food” she lamented.”
The trade fair which commenced on the 21st of September is expected to close on the 5th of October 2017.
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