Enugu Int’l Tradefair Kicks -Off On Low Note As ECCIMA Says Fair Is Unique

As the 31st Enugu International Trade Fair begins Friday in Enugu, residents have expressed mixed feelings on the prospects of the fair due to low-turnout of investors, although organisers are optimistic attendance would pick up.

Emeka Okpala, who came from Ebonyi State, expressed doubts about the success of the fair in view of the closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airpor and the poor state of the Owerri airport to Enugu road, factors he said would have adverse effect on the fair.

But Jacinta Okpe , another visitor to the fair, was more optimistic. She said, “It started today. The Kaduna International Tradefair just ended. So those that participated are likely to be on their way to Enugu. I expect to make money here to help in my school.”

Present at the event include the GOC, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, represented by Brig General G.O. Omoroge; representatives of the Nigerian Customs Service, as well as the Nigerian Immigration Service, traditional rulers, and Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Dioceses.

The Minister of Commerce and Industry, state Miriam Kayagun, expressed hope that the objective of the fair would be realized, adding that made-in-Nigerian products would soon compete favourably globally.

The President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA,  Emeka Nwandu, commended the turnout despite the closure of the Enugu International Airport and the ravaging coronavirus.

He said the fair was unique because of its focus on promotion of the non-oil sector.

According to him, “The unique aspect is the special agriculture designated area as a major fulcrum to refocus attention and adopt a pragmatic approach in restoring the place of agriculture in the development of our economy through investments in agriculture.”

He bemoaned the refusal of some banks to identify with ECCIMA, adding that it was only ACCESS Bank that stood behind the agency.

The theme of the fair is ‘Advancing the Growth of SMEs through Corporate Governance for Rapid Economic Development’.

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, at the event, said the theme captured the mood of the nation as an emerging economy, adding that small and medium enterprises, SMEs, would unlock the nation’s economic potentials in the face of the dwindling oil sector.

In his words, “Enugu will continue to provide the right platform for investments flow for wealth creation. We shall continue to provide the best business platforms, including security. Enugu State was rated 27th in 2014 by the World Bank, but today has become second on the ease of doing business in the country.

“We have a non-oil desk in the state to diversify our economy. We have also earmarked N3.4bn in our budget to establish at least one industry in all our 17 LGAs. It will be government and public participatory. I also urge all to observe standards in preventing the spread of coronavirus.”

There was compulsory handwashing with sanitizers for everybody as a way of curbing the coronavirus.