By Tony Adibe
The 34th edition of the Enugu International Trade Fair organized by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), has commenced, with the federal government disclosing that it has initiated policies aimed at promoting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) in Nigeria.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment in Nigeria, Adeniyi Adebayo while declaring open the fair at its permanent site in Enugu, assured that the Federal government would continue to create an enabling environment for the private sector to flourish in the country.
The Minister said: “This sector currently represents 96 percent of the businesses in Nigeria and contributes 75 percent of national employment.”
Represented by Sunday Jaja, Deputy Director, Multinational at the Ministry, Adebayo further explained: “this growth in this sector is directly correlated with growth in the economy as a whole and in the level of employment throughout Nigeria.”
Adebayo also congratulated ECCIMA for organizing the 34th edition of the fare as it has witnessed tremendous improvement and numerous innovations introduced.
NewsBits recalls that the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) was established in 1963 for the promotion and protection of Commerce and Industry, as well as to represent and express the opinion of the business community on questions affecting Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in Enugu particularly, the south-eastern Nigeria as a region and Nigeria in general.
Earlier in his keynote speech, President of ECCIMA, Barr. Jasper Nduagwuike said that the chamber under the 16th Council is proud of how far they have come as it could only get better before the end of the year. He pledged that a full exhibition centre will be standing on the trade fair ground before then.
Nduagwuike, said the pavilion might not have been completed the way it was planned, but that any “unbiased observer will congratulate the chamber for having come this far in spite of the most daunting challenges.”
The ECCIMA President said: “It gladdens my heart that this occasion is holding, despite the onerous odds that challenged it. These odds include the political situation in the country, the misadventure of the cashless policy which threw spanners into the works of every project.”
He equally used the occasion to turn the sod for the Enugu computer village, a multi-billion-naira project guaranteed to change the landscape of Enugu and increase commercial activities to a level never before envisaged. According to him, “God who has been our helper in ages past is still our hope for the years to come and I can assure you that things will always get better.
“So, relax, network, consummate deals, and generally enjoy the ambience and hospitality of the Coal City State. It is morning yet on creation day.”
