Abia Inaugurates Committee for 2nd International Trade Fair

A twenty-three member Planning Committee has been inaugurated for the second edition of the Abia International Trade Fair, with Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu as Chairman.

Inaugurating the Committee at the Deputy Governor’s Conference Hall, Government House, Umuahia, Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu mandated them to deliver an event that surpasses the inaugural edition in scope, quality, and impact.

Emetu emphasized the need to draw lessons from the experiences and challenges of the previous edition.

He urged the committee to bring innovation, dedication, and excellence to the planning and execution of this year’s event.

“We are expecting increased participation from industrialists, investors, and entrepreneurs who will showcase their products and services. We must be open to new ideas and ensure our preparations reflect the true spirit of Abia,” Emetu said.

He congratulated the members and encouraged them to take the assignment seriously, highlighting the significance of the trade fair to Abia’s economy and business community.

He also announced that all financial transactions related to the trade fair will be centralized under the Ministry of Trade and Commerce to promote transparency and accountability.

The Ministry will manage the event’s accounts, with the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce serving as Secretary of the Committee.

The Vice Presidents of the Aba and Umuahia Chambers of Commerce will serve as Co-Vice Chairmen.

The Deputy Governor called for enhanced collaboration with traditional media and social media influencers to ensure widespread publicity.

He stressed the importance of grassroots mobilization through local government Mayor’s and community leaders.

“The orientation agency has its work cut out. We must work closely with radio stations and also harness the power of social media to drive awareness,” he added.

Emetu further advised the committee to immediately announce dates for the fair, so it can be officially included in the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, NACCIMA’s event calendar.

This, he said, would facilitate proper scheduling, sponsorship drives, and formal engagement with corporate participants.

In their remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce, and Industry, Mr. Nwaka Inem, and his Investment Promotion counterpart, Chief Greene Amankwe, expressed optimism that the 2025 edition of the trade fair would be more impactful than the last.

They emphasized that while trade fairs should be government-driven, their success depends on close collaboration with the Chambers of Commerce, which possess a rich database of businesses operating within the state.

Also speaking, the President of the Aba Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Geoffrey Uzoagbara, expressed gratitude to the state government for the opportunity to participate in the planning process.

Uzoagbara described the initiative as laudable, noting that organizing trade fairs traditionally falls within the responsibilities of the Chamber of Commerce.