Chairman of the 2019 organising committee, Abuja International Trade Fair (2019AITF), Dr. Johnson Anene, has said that the event will provide a veritable platform for participants ‘‘to promote person-person, business-business, sector-sector, organisation-organisation, inter-governmental as well as country-country contacts.’’
This was contained in an official update on the upcoming 2019AITF signed and made available to Newsdiaryonline by Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Media & Strategy Officer, Gena Lubem.
The statement also added that the ACCI ‘‘is putting finishing touches towards a successfully hosting of the multi-sectoral’’ 2019AITF which the 13th edition from September 21 to 29.
It ‘‘promises to provide yet another opportunity for stakeholders to meet, brainstorm on best practices, innovations and strategies in their respective sectors.’’
The statement quoted Dr. Anene, who is also ACCI Vice President for Commerce, as saying that “we have designed the 2019 AITF to the best standard with the main aim of providing a conducive environment for the promotion of businesses, trade and investment opportunities in the country, the sub-region and beyond.
“Similarly, we have designed the platform deliberately to provide a neutral and open atmosphere for blue chip companies, trade groups/associations, public investment promotion agencies, institutions and other private sector organisations to engage new business partners for investment relations and seal business deals.
The event according to him, ‘‘will feature trade and investment focused presentations, exhibitions, business matchmaking sessions, products/service presentations by organisation, trade and investment profile, amongst several other business enhancing activities.
“Specifically, the event is to offer an opportunity for participants to get new insight into accessing capital for business and reviewing policy directions within the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) framework in terms of new model for financing them and the ease of doing business context.”
Participants both local and foreign are expected from sectors including energy; power; technology; fashion and textile; real estate; construction; financial services; healthcare; educational institutions; transportation; foods and beverages; agriculture; media and furniture amongst others.
The main objectives of the trade fair under the theme: ‘‘Remodeling SMEs Financing: Options and Solutions’’ include promotion of made in Nigeria goods and service; create a conducive atmosphere between the nation and other countries; provide access to research findings, new technologies, innovation and ideas for industrial growth.
Meanwhile, the Chamber has introduced the Roundtable component to add value to the fair during which issues concerning the financing of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be discussed and solutions proffered.
