Kaduna Trade Fair Kicks Off February

The 46th edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair  organized by the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), has been scheduled to hold at the Kaduna International Trade and Investment Centre, Km 4, Kaduna – Zaria Road, Rigachikun, Kaduna from Friday 14th to Sunday 23rd  February 2025.

The theme for the 46th Edition of the Trade Fair is “Promoting Efficiency in Manufacturing, Trade and Agriculture through Digital Transformation”.

First deputy president/chairman main organising committee (MON) Farouk Suleiman  at the press conference said, the theme was chosen to lend support to the present administration in its efforts to move the economy from the current economic challenges  facing our dear country and the need for all of us to join hands to come out from this situation.

He however said, for the Nigerian economy to move forward and compete favourably with other African Countries and the rest of the world, we should apart from giving serious attention to manufacturing, agriculture and digital economy do some fundamental issues, adding that  governments at all levels should also introduce and enforce the use of local content in their contracts and as a matter of policy, government patronage and use of locally manufactured goods should be enforced.

“In the same vein and for our local manufacturers to participate and compete favourably within the framework of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), there will be the need for specific incentives and encouragement particularly in the areas of electricity tariff and provision of single digit finance facility among others.

“Let it be known that the continuous imposition of different types of taxes on Nigerian businesses will not be the solution to our economic challenges but will rather strangulate businesses.

As well, we urge the federal and state governments to prioritise constant engagement with the Organised Private Sector with a view to addressing these and other challenges. It is only through such rapport that we will be able to jointly move our economy forward”.

He said, in preparations of the Fair, the chamber has made contacts with Manufacturers, Producers, Fabricators, Distributors, and Marketers, both within and outside the country, and have invited them to come and participate at this year’s.

“We have also contacted Policy Makers, Federal and State Ministries of Commerce, NIPC, Trade and Investment Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Missions Abroad, foreign Missions in Nigeria, NACCIMA as well as the various Chambers of Commerce across the country and many other stakeholders to partner in the promotion of the Fair.

“On the side of participants and visitors to the Fair, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce is envisaging a moderate turnout from both Local and International Participants.  We have some companies from countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Morocco, Niger Republic, who have signified  keen interests to participate”.

The Trade Fair will be formally declared open on Saturday 15thJanuary 2025 at 10.00am he disclosed.