FOSSCCIMA Organizes 1st South-South Int’l Trade Fair in PH

The Forum of South-South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (FOSSCCIMA) has concluded arrangements to organize the first South-South International Trade Fair, slated for Port Harcourt, the West Africa oil hub and Nigeria’s oil capital.

FOSSCCIMA is a coinage for an agglomeration of all chambers of commerce in the six states of South-South geopolitical zone, which incidentally are within the oil-producing Niger Delta region, Nigeria’s crude oil belt, accounting for over 95% of the nation’s current 2.2 million barrels of crude oil per day.

President of FOSSCCIMA and lead promoter of the intra-regional trade fair, Billy Gillis-Harry said Port Harcourt would be agog for 21 days, as all roads would lead to the Garden City for the eagerly awaited trade fair, which would also be spiced up with a potpourri of entertainment events.

The fair is slated to hold at the popular Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, and would run from 10 to 30 April, 2016, attracting the participation of local, national and international entrepreneurs and entertainers.

With the theme: “Growing the South-South Economy to Establish Enduring Peace and Security of the Region to Impact Nigeria,” FOSSCCIMA boss, Gillis-Harry said the South-South international trade fair is uniquely modeled to appeal to greater percentage of diverse audience.

“We believe the traffic will be amazing, because we have orchestrated a whole lot of value-laden and enticing programs lined up for the delight of participants and visitors to the fair. The 21-day complex initiated events will among other things, champion the need to promote trade associations, networking, real time buying, selling, entertainment galore by the best of Nigerian acts, talent hunt, gospel rendition, divine message by some of the greatest men of God from the south-south and beyond; and an employment initiative for youths to leverage on,” he said.

Gillis-Harry informed that the event is put together by FOSSCCIMA, in collaboration with Freebourne and Medallion Marketing Limited, a renowned trade fair consultant; and would feature: job creation initiative tagged “Registration of Unemployed South-South Youths (RUNSSY); gospel concert tagged, ‘Sound of Easter’ featuring anointed men of God, a talent hunt tagged ‘Niger Delta Night of Stars,’ where the brand ambassador of the fair, Duncan Mighty would line up with the best of Nigerian music acts, and stand up comedians.

He further pointed out that the international trade fair would provide a platform for goods and services of exceptional pedigree to be showcased like never before; and would experience participation of major banks, manufacturers and corporate entities; as well as provide a platform where everyone would have a reason to visit the fair with well articulated brand of programs lined up.

A frontline facilitator of the events and member of the planning committee, Lucky Akhiwu said the strategic geographical location of Port Harcourt and its economic significance to the country, would contribute immensely in the success of the fair and ancillary events.

According to him, the events would usher in macro-economic reformation, youth empowerment and engender institutional cum private sector development initiatives; and therefore, enjoined all and sundry to participate and take advantage to showcase their goods and services.

 

BEN EGUZOZIE