The Lagos chamber of commerce and Industry (LCCI) has made plans to expand this year’s Lagos International Trade Fair beyond the four walls of the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, where it is held annually. The chamber is incorporating a virtual form of the event— first of its kind—to run concurrently with the physical event.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, Gabriel Idahosa, chairman of the Trade Promotions Board, LCCI, said the disruption in commercial and human activities on the back of the coronavirus pandemic has created a new normal which the activities of the trade fair will align with. This includes the hosting of the first virtual international trade fair, which will have modalities similar to Zoom meetings along with the physical event. The fair will hold from the 6th – 15th of November 2020.
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“As we all know, the Covid-19 pandemic has altered almost every sphere of human activity and we are all seeking solutions to emerging problems. Therefore, the Trade Promotion Board has approved the hosting of a virtual trade fair as part of the 2020 Lagos International Trade Fair,” he said.
He said plans are at an advanced stage for the customisation of a virtual portal that will host the virtual trade fair.
He disclosed that over 1500 participants have shown interest through registration, adding that many more are still registering for the fair, including those who will travel from other countries to participate. He noted that a major advantage of the virtual programme is the unlimited number of participants.
