By STANLEY NWANOSIKE

Chief Odeiga Jideonwo, President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce Industry Mining and Agriculture (ECCIMA), has assured of a bigger, better and well-organised 35th Enugu International Trade Fair.

Jideonwo gave the assurance while addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Enugu to announce the 35th Enugu International Trade Fair.

He said that this year’s edition of the Enugu International Trade Fair would lay specific emphasis on promoting made in Nigeria products.

The chamber boss said the focus stemmed from the need to offset the nation’s foreign exchange deficit, resulting from the nation’s mono foreign exchange earner, oil, which had led to the current economic challenges.

“The current economic challenges in the country as a result of the dwindling revenue form our mono foreign exchange earner, which is oil, calling for concerted efforts towards diversifying our nation’s economy.

“The need to promote made in Nigeria products in the global market to attract foreign interest, increase export of non-oil products and then offset our foreign exchange deficit, cannot be over emphasized.

“Increasing local production and promoting our locally-made goods is the most important song to be singing now, until we restore the true glory or value of the Naira as well as our national economy,” he said.

The ECCIMA president noted that the event, which would hold between April 5 and April 15, 2024, would be thrown open to participants; adding that the gate-fee would be “absolutely free for everyone”.

He also said that efforts were being consolidated towards bringing back a number of big companies that stopped participating in the fair due to poor exhibition infrastructure at the complex.

“These companies have decided to join ECCIMA in its move to use Public-Private-Partner (PPP) arrangement in developing the Enugu International Trade Fair. Most of them have also indicated interest in having permanent spaces for their permanent exhibition stands/halls.

“We are optimistic that despite the current economic challenges, the 35th Enugu International Trade Fair will be successfully hosted as we have to do a lot of work towards its success,” Jideonwo said.

The chamber boss also lauded the Enugu State Government for partnering the chamber and agreeing to asphalt the roads within the fair complex before its commencement.

He said: “The Fair has been strategically re-engineered in such a way that it will have meaningful and positive effects and outcome for all stakeholders, particularly for exhibitors and participants.

“Part of the value addition and enhancement to this Fair is the partnership deal we are striking with the Enugu State Government to make available about 1000sqm Marquee Air-conditioned Tent to provide space for participation of all SMEs in Enugu State.

“This will increase the number of Air-conditioned Marquee Tent at the Fair to two. One housing corporate and international exhibitors while the second one will house SMEs from Enugu State.

“The Agricultural Sector will receive more attention in our specially designated area during the Fair towards boosting indulgence in Agricultural production and commercial farming, more so as it remains a critical sector towards our diversification efforts, so also for the mining and solid mineral sector.”

The theme of this year’s Fair is “Promoting Made in Nigeria Products for Global Competitiveness”. (NAN)

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