By Stanley Nwanosike
Enugu – Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has assured exhibitors at the Enugu International Trade Fair of improved infrastructure in the state for a more viable exhibition in 2018.
Ugwuanyi gave the assurance on Monday while closing the 2017 edition of the fair after 11 days of exhibition of non-oil products and innovative products.
He, however, commended ECCIMA for hosting a successful fair and its tenacity to host the fair in spite of obvious economic challenges.
“The state government lauds the chamber’s support in promoting SMEs and industry in the state through its numerous financial and business activities.
“We want to encourage the chamber to continue partnering the state government in driving the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and its overall economic development,’’ Ugwuanyi, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, said.
Rev. Ugochukwu Chime, the President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), thanked the 65 exhibitors for staying and show casing their products and services for 11 days.
Chime lauded the government for its support to the success of the event as well as hosting a stand and special day.
“We also thank the Police and the Civil Defence for ensuring security throughout as well as the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) for ensuring fairly stable power supply at the fair ground,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the closing ceremony witnessed the giving of awards to some corporate exhibitors that had performed creditably well at the fair.
The fair, supported by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, is organised to showcase Nigeria’s non-oil products.
The exhibition is also providing the opportunity for local and foreign businesses to explore and access commercially viable markets in South-East part of the country.
The theme of the fair is: “Promoting Nigeria’s Industrial Sector and SMEs for Inclusive and Robust Economy”.
The fair, which started on March 31, lasted for 11 days.