15th Abuja Int’l Trade Fair opens

By Ben Atonko

The 15th Abuja International Trade Fair carrying the theme Trade and Commerce Beyond Borders yesterday opened in Abuja.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello has called on investors to take advantage of the favourable investment climate in FCT such as its central location, good road and rail networks, presence of world class communication facilities as well as a major international airport and invest in the FCT.
Bello stressed that the FCT Administration (FCTA) is working with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ABBUCI) and other stakeholders to harmonise taxation so that payment of multiple taxes does not adversely affect businesses in the FCT.
The minister said FCTA is working hard to create the enabling environment to make the territory a major trading and business destination adding that the 15th edition of the fair aims at putting Nigeria on the global map as a great trade and exporting nation.
His words, “This theme is, indeed, a call to look inwards and harness all the abundant potentials of our great nation in areas of agriculture, mining and technology to not only rebuild our economy but also become a major commodity exporter.”
Bello commended the management of ABBUCI for ensuring that the fair still holds in spite of Covid-19, saying, “the chamber’s innovative and result oriented ideas and activities have contributed in no small measure in raising the profile of the FCT as a growing commercial and industrial hub.”
He commended the efforts of the outgoing president of the chamber, Mr Adetokunbo Kayode in building the structures within the trade fair complex, which, he said, have improved the Abuja skyline.
The minister, in company of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Mr Niyi Adebayo and other dignitaries took a tour of the various exhibition stands