By IKENNA UWADILEKE

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), says it is set to host over 250 exhibitors from within and outside Nigeria at its 17th Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF).

The ACCI President, Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja to herald the event scheduled to hold from Sept. 30 to Oct. 9, at the ACCI Trade Fair Complex.

Represented by Dr Johnson Anene, the chairman, National Chamber of Commerce Trade Centre of the ACCI, Abubakar said that the trade fair would be a global trade destination and a potential market for over 50,000 consumers.

According to him, the Abuja international trade fair is a platform for brand establishment as it brings together various aspects of trade and industry, foreign ambassadors, business persons, decision-makers, business delegations, entrepreneurs and innovators.

“The AITF is a global platform, which provides an avenue where businessmen, entrepreneurs, service providers, and many others converge.

“It also provides an avenue for the distribution of trade, investment, market opportunities, and ideas that would greatly help sellers, buyers, investors, and countries to promote relationships in business,” Abubakar said.

Describing it as a unique event, he said that it would provide opportunities for manufacturers to communicate with product end-users, handle customer complaints, and reward brands, thereby promoting businesses.

“The focus of the 17th AITF is on exports hence, the theme, “Creating an Export Ready Market through SMEs Digitisation,” he said.

According to Abubakar, the choice of digitisation is because it offers a range of opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to improve performance spur innovation and enhance productivity.

“Digital tools bring many significant benefits for firms as digitisation reduces transaction costs by providing better and quicker access to information and communication between businesses, suppliers and networks.

“Over the past decade, the emergence of increasingly powerful digital technologies and digital infrastructures has transformed and continue to transform business processes, organisations and corporate culture.

“This is with a new innovation processes, marketing models and types of products/services.

“It is fast becoming an increasingly central issue for companies,’’ he said.

Abubakar further said that aside promoting businesses, the 17th AITF would also strengthen trade and investment opportunities in the country.

He said that it would offer a neutral and open atmosphere for blue-chip companies, trade groups/associations, and government.

“The fair is always the right place to meet the right people that will help in taking businesses to the next level.

“Already, we have over 150 local exhibitors and 100 international exhibitors that have made bookings for their participation and many are still coming,” he said.

Abubakar said that the rate of exhibition stands range from N10, 000 to N1 million.

“The trade fair will promote every aspect of the economy through international and national partnerships, thereby, promoting made-in-Nigeria products,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Mohammad Bello, urged the business community to leverage on the opportunities provided by the fair to grow their businesses.

Represented by Mr. Agboola Dabri, the Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and PPP for FCT Administration, Bello assured investors of a conducive environment and adequate security during the event.

He said, “I can assure you of adequate security and President Muhammadu Buhari has shown interest in coming to declare the event open, so I pray he comes.” (NAN)

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