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Traders, Abians share experiences as maiden edition of Trade Fair ends 

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Traders, Abians share experiences as maiden edition of Trade Fair ends 

The maiden edition of the Aba International Trade Fair 2024, themed: “Abia Reforms, Limitless Opportunities”, has ended with a call on Abia State Government to ensure she improves on subsequent editions by conducting thorough research on how states in Nigeria has recorded success in this regard.

The Trade Fair which began November 28, 2024 and ended December 7, 2024 at the Aba Mega Mall, located along the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, availed Traders from and outside the State opportunity to converge and use the serenity of the environment to transact for the purpose of showcasing their businesses to the world.

Though it was not as pleasing as the traders, buyers and other classes of people expected, the truth remains that the Aba International Trade Fair 2024, has come and gone, leaving more windows of opportunities for Abia State Government to exploit while also exposing areas that need to be improved upon if it will be a yearly affair as corroborated by participants at the event.

For David Osifo and Joy Ekenna of WYN Deliveries, they narrated the experiences having participated in Trade Fairs in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan among other states in Nigeria. They pointed to the fact that sales are low as customers did not turn up when compared to sales made in Lagos, heaping the blame on poor sensitisation on the part of the State Government and the economic collapse in general.

David Osifo however, lauded the Abia State Government for at least finding a good site for the Trade Fair, noting that the serenity is top notch but insisted that publicity is imperative in conducting a successful Trade Fair that both the exhibitors and buyers will have a swell time participating in.

For Chitechi Uzundu of Enyimba Mall, Etche Road, by East Street Aba, she decried low turn out of clients.

Ms. Joy Ekenna revealed that she was somehow discouraged when she visited the website designated for the Trade Fair, saying there were no activities on the site to keep the people abreast of information before and during the exercise. She advised the Abia State Government to address this issue going forward.

She said, “It is discouraging when you have huge expectations especially as a business person. Some of us spent huge resources participating in this exercise but I must confess that It wasn’t worth it. Low turnout of buyers was a handicap. It is disheartening, everyone keeps blaming the low turnout on poor publicity.”

Chitechi Uzundu, also aligned with David Osifo and Joy Ekenna, in calling on the Abia State government to ensure they put out enough communication, using various medium of communication to achieve good results while applauding the serenity of the environment, insisting that it is good for business.

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On her part, Mrs Grace Ndukwe, who represented her religion Eckankar and received people by showing them the path of spiritual freedom, said she felt for artisans and other sellers who moved their goods to the venue and couldn’t make sales, saying the programme was not well publicized.

She also stated that the programme cannot be compared to Trade Fairs she had visited in the past, pointing out that it is heartbreaking that in the era of social media and other channels of communication, information about the Trade Fair couldn’t circulate to achieve desired results.

Mrs. Ndukwe said the location of the Trade Fair is off town, pointing out that when people consider the location and fare, they prefer going to Ariaria Market, others up town, maintaining that the sensitisation is poor, urging the state Government to change their strategy including mounting billboards in town, going to radio stations among others.

Contributing, a Trader and Marketer for MTN Nigeria, who gave his name as Shedrack, said he is happy participating in the Trade Fair just as he expressed optimism that it will be a success in the coming years.

He lauded Abia State government for coming up with the initiative of organising Trade Fair in the State, noting that states that have arrived in this regard started someday.

Interacting with buyers including Uzoma Oriji, Confidence Chike, Ginika Chiemela, they all expressed displeasure over what they met on ground. According to them, they expected to see similar market like that of Ariaria International Market, wondering why there was no publicity to notify Aba people and beyond, of plans to hold Trade Fair in Aba.

Uzoma Oriji particularly noted that he had attended Trade Fairs in Plateau, Abuja among others, stressing that it was a beehive of activities in those states unlike what is tenable in Aba, the commercial nerve centre which should perform better than those states.

They also lauded the Abia State Government for at least deeming it necessary to organize the maiden edition of the Trade Fair, expressing hope that Lagos and other states that have recorded success in this regard started someday, saying it will get better in the next edition.

Recall that during the official flag-off of the Trade Fair on Saturday, December, 30, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, had expressed his satisfaction with the organisation of the trade fair.

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The Governor assured that his government is committed to making the fair beneficial to traders and the people of the state.

On his part, Chief Nwaka Inem, Chairman of the Planning Committee, described the fair as a bold statement announcing Aba’s return as a hub for commerce and entrepreneurship in West Africa.

Southeastposts reports that the trade fair is a joint effort between the Abia State Government and the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ACCIMA).

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