The first ever International Trade Fair that will have major European, Asian and American companies showing significant interest of participation will be held in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State from November 28 to December 7, 2024.
The trade fair, which is being organized by the state government, according to the organizers, will be used to showcase the business and manufacturing potentials of the Aba manufacturers and place the city in the international market as a city with great ingenuity.
Addressing a news conference in Aba on Thursday on the oncoming trade fair, the Special Adviser to the governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem said the fair will be a joint event between the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA) and state government.
“This is to broaden the scope, reach and impact of the trade fair for the Aba business ecosystem and send a signal to the world that the glory of this great city as a pivotal business destination in Nigeria and across the West African region is returning”, he asserted.
The governor’s Special Adviser stated that a 21-committee for the trade fair which he heads and inaugurated by the government selected two firms/consultants reputed for organizing trade fairs: Global Fairs and Exhibition and Vivamark Communication Limited for the exercise, adding that they are expected to bring their wealth of experience in ensuring that the trade fair turns out as the best so far organized in Africa in an African soil.
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According to him, “the committee will work closely with these consultants and will give them every necessary support to achieve our grand ambition for this year’s event which will be more than just a trade fair but a strategic showpiece to announce Aba’s rising status as an economic powerhouse and major regional business hub”.
The oncoming Aba International Trade Fair which will be the city’s 20th in the series, he opined, will be different from the previous trade fairs held in the past in Aba, saying that it will be held at the Aba Mega Mall.
In his goodwill message, the Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Mr Kingsley Nwokocha commended the organizers of the trade fair for their painstaking efforts in ensuring a successful event and assured the Abia business community of the readiness of the state government to ensure that the state is placed in the world map economic development.
In its contribution, the President of ACCIMA, Mr Geoffrey Uzoagbara represented by Engr Cletus Ogbonnaya Ekpo, a member of chamber described Aba as a manufacturing hub that needs to the exposed to the international community in a well articulated programme.
Uzoagbara, further maintained that most machines being sold in Nigeria as well as some West African sub-region like Cameroun, Ghana, Gabon, Central African Republic etc are manufactured in Aba, pointing the trade fair will be a better forum to showcase such ingenuity to the world.
