Traders demand extension at Abuja trade fair due to low turnout
Story from Ibraheem Hamza Muhammad
The 18th Abuja International Trade Fair experienced a lower than expected turnout, with fewer people visiting the event to explore and purchase the latest products.
The decline in attendance can be attributed to the economic challenges faced by individuals, particularly when comparing the Nigerian Naira to major international currencies. This has significantly impacted the purchasing power of potential visitors, otherwise known as inflation.
Neptune Prime has surveyed the Trade Fair, comment the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry for organising the event, trying to woo Foreign Direct Investment, (FDI) and improve Commerce and Industry.
Neptune Prime has observed that Turkish and Middle East exhibitors dominated the foreigners, women selling incense from North-Eastern Nigeria and Women from South-Western Nigeria who are famous as food vendors.
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Alhaji Ali Mamman said “I expect low turnout of people because of the hard economic reality of the people. The turnout this year couldn’t be compared with that of few years back.
“I am calling on the government to improve the economy for Nigerians to have more purchasing power.” He said.
Some traders and vendors said that the poverty in the country has led to the decrease in the high turnout of people.
They said that in some years back, even people from the rural areas used to troop enmasse for window shopping and purchase of items at discount rates.
In his closing remarks to mark the end of the trade Fair, President of ACCI, Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar said, “The annual Trade Fair continues to have a successive influence on the local economy as foreign participation increases on a year on year. Furthermore, women in business benefitted through training programmes that took place at this edition.
“In this edition, we are glad and make bold to say the standard of local product packaging and the quality on display shows that Nigeria is indeed prepared to take advantage of huge opportunities offered by African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“As a Chamber, we do hope that Nigerian business-minded people begin to take advantage of AfCFTA to promote their businesses within Africa continent and beyond.” He said.
However there was adequate security during the trade Fair event.
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