Over 1000 Exhibitors and about 100 thousand audiences in more than 33 countries are expected to partake in this year’s ECOWAS and Friendly Countries Trade Fair, ECOfairs, holding in Lagos, Nigeria.
The fair which is in its 4th edition will hold from August 3 to 12 at the Blue Roof Arena, Lagos Television, Ikeja, with the theme,’Intra African trade: The right direction for economic integration and regional development”.
The Convener of the fair, Mr. Sylvester Riicolins while speaking at an event in Lagos believed that with the large number of participants, the event would be a good opportunity to showcase the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
Mr. Riicolins explained that the objectives of the fair include; creating a platform that will enhance trade and project development in the region, facilitating sales and business transactions and to promote regional partnership and business extension in Africa and beyond.
He said the other objectives include to advocate good governance and amiable business environment in the continent.
He stated that it is also an avenue to eulogize the front runner of good governance, entrepreneurs and humanitarian actors.
Mr. Riicolins noted that the fair would be of great benefit to Nigeria’s economy as it will bring investors and entrepreneurs from over 33 countries.
“Today we are unveiling the ecofair in Nigeria .
“Most of the visitors coming from far and near would want to invest in the country. Some will visit the county for the first time, they will want to do a feasibility study and present their products. Some will come back to invest which will boost the economy.
“These exhibitors will be lounged in hotels and also eating Nigerian food which will bring more money to the economy.
“Long term interest is that some of them will pick interest to invest in Nigeria since most of them will be coming from outside Nigeria”, he said.
To encourage Small Medium Enterprises and start ups to participate in the fair, Mr Riicolins pointed out that they would be given stands at a very affordable price.
He stated that the first 1000 participants at the fair would be given free malaria test and treatment.
Mr Riicolins pointed out that the fair has been held in some African countries like Boukina Faso and C’divoir twice, stressing that It’s a rotational event.
” From Nigeria, we will move to other African countries.
“Very soon, we will have it in Ghana and Cameroon if invited.”
Mr. Riicolins appreciated the sponsors and partners, noting further that the fair will add another feather to the journey for economic integration and promotion of trade , tourism and culture in the region, pointing out that Ecofair was birthed from the desire to create a common business platform for regional entrepreneurs with various activities.
He reiterated that the Ecofairs does not just consist of trade or business alone, but consists of tourism , cultural activities, ecoawards, adding that for the first time, in the form of innovation the group will be introducing Lagos by Night, an entertainment programme.
“We are also creating an eco magazine for the first time where discussions and businesses will continue after the fair because the exhibitors , partners and sponsors’ information will be in a magazine in English and French.
The Lagos state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Abisola Ruth Olusanya said that the ministry would be participating in the fair because is an innovative initiative.
Mrs Olusanya who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, stressed that they keyed into the fair because majority of the exhibitors would be agric base, which is one area that the state has been passionate about.
On her part, the Consul General of Ghana in Lagos, Mrs Samata Bukari, who noted that Nigeria and Ghana have traded for many years, pointed that the fair will facilitate the current activities that existed between the two countries.
“Ghana is proud to be in Nigeria. We want to work together as a team of African countries to make AFCFTA work.
“AfCFTA will create jobs for our teeming youths . With the intra trade, we will now appreciate other countries’ manufacturing sector, education sector, and other sectors in the economy. All scale businesses will be scaled up .
“They can come together as cooperatives to be bigger and big industries will benefit from the small ones and this will improve trade and commerce in Africa.”
“With commitment and sacrifice, we will over come. Going to other countries for greener pastures should be over, the pastures are here in Africa.
“So we can manufacture and export, we need a common currency, it must not be the dollar. With commitment, understanding and dedication, AfCFTA will work and improve on the development of Africa . We need to patronise African products, it will boost our trade.”
The CEO of the official marketing agency to the Ecofair, Jangils Media Ltd, Mr. Chinedu Onyewuchi, promised that the agency will support markets and manage the fair in Nigeria.
He said over 1 million flyers will be distributed and that there will be radio and television adverts to commence fully in June.
He also revealed that the agency would get endorsements from market authorities for those who will bring in goods from across the states.
“We have partnered with trade organisations like the LCCI, NACCIMA, foreign trade associations, ministry of industry for endorsement.
Also speaking, the National President of Ecowas Federation of Business Women Entrepreneurs, Nigeria (ECOWASFEBWE, Nigeria)
Iyalode Alaba Lawson, underscored the benefits of AfCFTA to the rise and development of Africa.
“We need to know how we can trade with ourselves and take ourselves off the slavery of the European countries. We need to wake up and realize that only trading with ourselves and with our natural resources will make us grow and create jobs for African youths.
“Women are about 70 percent in small scale business (SMEs), so we need to encourage them and make sure they are initiated into this intra African trade from the beginning, so they can grow with the trade.
Officials from Cameroon were represented at the event.
