Hyacinth Chinweuba
The third edition of Anambra State Trade Fair will kick off on the 26th of November and run till 11 December, 2018 at Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Awka Road, Onitsha.
The event organized by Association of Anambra Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (AACCIMA) has Promoting Economic Development Through Manufacturing, Trade and Agriculture as its theme.
Addressing newsmen in Awka, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Sir Chris Ukachukwu said they were in Awka to intimate the media and the people about upcoming Trade Fair in Anambra State, noting that the show had become an annual congregation of business giants, agricultural experts, inventors, investors, and key manufacturers, adding that it would surpass the two previous editions.
Sir Ukachukwu stated that event would be organized by the three city Chambers of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Nnewi Chamber of Commerce and Awka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, noting that the pooling of the business resourcefulness of Onitsha and Nnewi combined with the administrative support of Awka ensure high level patronage and participation.
Ukachukwu noted that the theme of this year’s Trade Fair was carefully selected by experts, saying that they placed high premium on agriculture and the real sector, describing the two as the core drivers of economic development.
He said they are leveraging on the channel of commerce for widespread patronage.
Ukachukwu said that this year’s fair would be the biggest commercial event in the South East, noting that Anambra State government and its MDAs due to the economic potentials the event would present had all communicated their endorsements and support.
“Local and foreign investors, trade groups manufacturers, multinationals companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, inventors and MDAs have all indicated interest to participate in this Trade Fair”, he assured.
The Chairman said the fair would consolidate on the gains and positives of the last two editions held in 2016 and 2017, emphasizing that aggressive strategies had been mapped out, adding that they were bringing in international dimension to products and services exhibition.
“Just like you have popular annual Canton Fair in China which has transformed to a global event and a must- attend summit, this trade fair seeks to formally institute an annual global meeting and an international commercial platform in Anambra State. We are already partnering with trade missions, embassies and multinational companies to be part of this event and the responses have been overwhelming.
“So we seek to present a very strong platform for global and local businesses to exhibit their products and services to a global market thereby presenting a huge opportunity for business visibility and international patronage.
“There shall be specialty exhibitions, displays, entertainment from the creative arts and industry. Prices of products and services shall crash and an atmosphere of festivity and fun shall be created. It shall be a precursor to Christmas festivities as it presents a great platform for people to make Christmas purchases.
“High level of security is guaranteed as close-circuit television (CCTV) shall be installed to monitor the activities of visitors at the fair ground and beyond. Fire- fighting equipment shall be installed in strategic points. There is adequate medical facilities respond to any medical challenges swiftly.
“There shall be networking and establishment of relationships, forging of partnership and closure of new deals, exchange of information and knowledge in global best practices and creative ways of conducting businesses. Diverse and various products shall be exhibited and sold at the fair. New products shall be launched and old products shall be repackaged.
“This Trade Fair will create jobs directly and indirectly; create new customers, create new opportunities and also create a more intense competitive environment that will lead to excellence in products and services delivery.
“Finally, it is obvious that Anambra State has now become a very critical economic hub in West Africa. The trade fair seeks to validate this and stimulate a high dimension economic growth that will improve the disposable income of residents, showcase the entrepreneurial resourcefulness of Anambra State and catalyze a radical transformation of Anambra economy which is already on upward trajectory”, Pharm. Ukachukwu concluded.
Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Afam Mbanefo who spoke on Agro business assured of his ministry’s participation.
In their separate speeches, Anambra State Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Barr. Sally Mbanefo and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA), Chief Clement Chukwuka urged Ndi Anambra to leverage on the opportunity presented to them by the chambers to prove to the world the stuff they were made of.
The Diaspora Commissioner harped on business tourism while ASBA boss spoke on small business scale.
The Chairman, Anambra City Chambers of Commerce, Chief Humphrey Ngonadi appealed to the media to assist the chambers in creating awareness of the fair to the world.
Unveiling of Prospectus, goodwill messages, refreshment formed the highpoints of the occasion.