26th Enugu trade fair set to kick off in March

The Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has called on members of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture to fully access the funds made available by the government to develop their small scale business activities in the state.

Chime, who was represented at an occasion by the state commissioner for commerce and industry, Jude Akubuilo, announced this during the 41st annual general meeting of the chamber in Enugu, recently, saying the challenges of unemployment and economic empowerment would only be solved by encouraging the development of private sectors.

He called on the manufacturers to produce goods that would compete favourably in the global market, saying some made-in-Nigerian goods were sold out side the country with foreign brand names, asking that we should be proud of our products.

In his address, the president of ECCIMA, Ifeanyi Okoye said the 26th Enugu International Trade Fair had been scheduled to take place from March 27 to April 6, 2015.

Okoye said the trade fair, which would take place at the International Trade Fair Complex, Golf Course, GRA, Enugu, had a theme titled: ‘Engendering the Nation’s Business Climate for Enhanced Industrialisation, Investment Inflows and Employment.”

Okoye revealed that strategies for the successful hosting of the Fair had been put in place and actions towards realising them were being taken, noting that the marketing of the Fair commenced since last year with direct mailing to prospective participants including international organisations as well as the marketing outreach carried out at the 2014 Abuja and Lagos International Trade fairs.

Okoye, who recapped the achievement of his organisation in 2014, appreciated the Enugu State government for its development efforts in transforming the state and creating enabling environment for business operators to thrive.

He however pleaded with the governor to look into the activities of some government agencies to lessen the burden of the business community by reducing their over taxation and multiple taxations.

“We wish to appreciate the consolidated efforts being made by the Enugu State government to improve the business environment.
”However, we wish to appeal that the issue of multiple taxation and arbitrary levy collection by local government councils and other agencies of the state government be nipped in the bud as they have been major impediments confronting businesses,” he said.

The president gave the assurance of ECCIMA’s commitment to promoting business and economic development in the state.

He commended the Federal Government for its effort in the diversification of the economy, but however called for viable strategic action plan that would be sustainably aimed at diversification of the nation’s economy.

Okoye used the occasion to implore the Federal Government to development the Enugu International Trade Fair Complex to reflect a true trade fair exhibition centre like that of Lagos and Abuja complexes.

On electricity, the chamber welcome the privatisation of the power sector in Nigeria, saying they hope the new investor would sincerely repose the trust on them to improve the quality of supply to Nigerian consumers.

The chamber also commended the President Jonathan for the second Niger Bridge. “Let me use this opportunity to commend President Goodluck Jonathan for matching words with action early in 2014, by commissioning and mobilising the contractor to commence work at the construction site of the second Niger Bridge in Ontisha,” he said.