ABEOKUTA– The 11th Gateway Trade Fair with the theme, ‘Harnessing the Agricultural Value Chain for sustainable Industrial and Economic Development’ will hold between Friday, 25th March to Monday 4th April, 2022 at the MKO International Trade Fair complex, Oke Mosan.
Briefing newsmen on Tuesday, at the press conference to herald the fair, the President of Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCIMA), Alh. Wasiu Olaleye stated that the trade fair is being utilized to introduce new concepts and enhance economic strategies for the industry towards improving the economic status of the state.
“The Gateway International Trade Fair over the years has remained a veritable platform for Micro, Small, Medium and Large scale Enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their products and services to the world, and to explore the market for opportunities”, he added.
Olaleye further noted that several industries have indicated interests in participating at the trade Fair, adding that the chamber is working run the clock to ensure the fair records an unprecedented success.
“We have received the commitments of a good number of blue chip companies and multinational corporations like Dangote Group, Rite Foods Limited, Erisco Foods and commercial banks amongst others to participate at this trade fair.
“We have equally mobilize and have the assurance of remarkable number of industries at the Agbara Industrial Estate and Ogun-Guandong Free Trade Zone, Igbesa to be part of this annual trade event, while small and medium size businesses have also indicated willingness to participate at the fair”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Ogun state government has promised to uplift the standard of the MKO International Trade Fair complex, venue of the annual fair.
Speaking on the development, the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Kikilomo Longe noted that efforts are in top gear to renovate, and put into proper use the trade fair complex to meet up with world acceptable standard.
Longe further reteraites the Ogun state government commitments to partner with OGUNCCIMA in the sustainable and development of small, medium and large size businesses in the state.
“We are taking steps to activate this place. If you ask Alhaji, there are number of plans that we have and we are working on to make sure there is activity in this place and not just during the annual trade fair.
“And I think Alhaji has taken some steps as per aquaculture fair, I can remember of last year and again we have some things going on for our favour, we can actually ship in things from other part of the country, even making machinery’s for manufacturers and industrial exposé and so on.
“The local government pavilion is also in progress we are working with the various NGOs. I am very passionate about these and different steps has been taken”, she added
