The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA), Mr. Solomon Nyaba, says the 8th Abuja International Trade Fair has raked in revenue in excess of N1.5 billion.

He made this known to journalists in Abuja onThursday during the closing ceremony of the fair which opened on September 26.

Nyaba said that although details of the revenue were still being worked out to ascertain the exact figure, the total amount would not be less than N1.5 billion.

The ABUCCIMA boss said that over 300 exhibitors, out of which 120 were foreigners participated in the fair, making it the most successful of all the fairs so far organised by the chamber.

“The fair has achieved its aims because a large number of participants from within and outside the country participated in it,” he said.

“With improved facilities, especially the exotic tents we provided, the whole exercise was a big success,” he added.

While pointing out that room still exists for improvement, Nyaba identified water and power supply as the major challenges faced by the chamber in organising the fair.

He pointed that arrangements were already in top gear to address the challenges before the next edition to providea conducive atmosphere for exhibitors.

Top on the award ranking was Sokoto State which received the best State Government Exhibitor Award, while Ghana and Taiwan carted away the Best African Exhibiting Country and the Best Exhibitor: Foreign Country awards respectively.

The Federal Airport Authority and the Nigerian Ports Authority received the Best Exhibiting Government Agency Award.

The closing ceremony witnessed the presentation of awards to exhibitors in 30 categories.

•Photo shows last yea’s Abuja Internatinal Trade Fair in session.