Mr Chris Ukachukwu, the Chairman, Trade Fair Organising Committee, Anambra Chamber of Commerce, says the 2018 fair is designed to stimulate economic growth in the state.

Ukachukwu said this during a briefing/unveiling of Anambra Trade Fair Prospectus in Awka.

He also said that the trade fair would also help to boost income of residents.

Ukachukwu said that the chamber would also use the fair “to showcase entrepreneurial resourcefulness of Anambra State.”

According to him, “the fair will catalyse radical transformation of Anambra economy which is already on upward trajectory.”

He said that the fair would further prove that Anambra had become Nigeria’s economic hub and a force to reckon with in the West African sub-region.

Ukachukwu expressed optimism that the fair, scheduled for Nov. 24 at the Chuba Ikpeazu Mini Stadium in Onitsha, would attract exhibitors and prospective buyers from within and outside Nigeria.

He commended Gov. Willie Obiano for his support to ensure successful hosting of the fair.

Ms Sally Mbanefo, the state Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Diaspora Affairs, urged the chamber to digitise its operations during the fair to attract Anambra indigenes resident abroad.

Mbanefo said that some Anambra people living abroad were seeking for ways to partner the business community at home.

She said that the state had the largest population of Nigerians in Diaspora and their involvement in the fair would further boost the state’s economy.

Mr Afam Mbanefo, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Processing, described the theme of the fair: “Promoting Economic Development through Manufacturing, Trade and Agriculture”, as apt.

The Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Daniel Okoli, said that the state would soon construct a permanent trade fair ground for the chamber.

Chief Azubuike Okafor, the Chairman of Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi Chapter of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, advised the chamber to review the participation fee in order to attract more exhibitors.

Okafor expressed optimism that the fair would record more success than that of 2017 in view of its closeness to Christmas.