In an attempt to boost exports and raise the value of the naira, the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) has declared that the promotion of locally produced goods will be the main focus of this year’s International Trade Fair.
This was announced by the chamber’s president, Odeiga Jideonwo, during a news conference conducted in advance of the 35th Trade Fair, which is scheduled to take place from April 5–15, 2024.
The fair’s subject, “Made in Nigeria products for Global Competitiveness,” according to Jideonwo, could not have arrived at a better moment than the current one, when the country’s economy is in dire need of revival.
“We need to promote made-in-Nigeria products in the global market to attract foreign interest,” he stated, referring to the country’s current economic challenges brought on by the declining revenue from oil, which is our main source of foreign exchange.
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In addition to increasing exports of non-oil goods and reducing the foreign exchange deficit, he pointed out that supporting domestic goods would strengthen “our democracy.”
The president stated that in order to do this, the chamber has set up two marquee tents: one would be free of charge for all SMEs in Enugu to participate in, while the other will be reserved for corporate and foreign exhibitors.
The president further declared that concerted attempts are being made to get large corporations, who withdrew from the fair because of subpar exhibiting facilities at the property, to return.
He stated, “These companies have decided to join ECCIMA in its move to use the public-private partnership arrangement in developing the Enugu International Trade Fair.” Among them are Zenith Bank, Dangote, Anammco, and Emenite Limited.
He announced that free transportation from ShopRite to the fairground will be provided, along with free admission to the event to guarantee increased participation.
