Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has flagged off the 15th Gateway International Trade Fair, themed “Promoting Businesses Through Partnerships”, at the M.K.O Abiola Trade Fair Complex, Laderin, Abeokuta.
Speaking at the programme on Wednesday, Abiodun charged participants to leverage the commerce platform to network and build purposeful partnerships that would boost their businesses. The governor was represented by the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela.
Abiodun said the Trade Fair had consistently served as a platform for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their products and build valuable connections that would help both businesses and the state to prosper. He noted that the state government remained unwavering in its commitment to continually improve the business-enabling environment.
According to him, reforms and policies introduced by the administration were already yielding positive results, as Ogun State continued to emerge as a preferred destination for investors.
“Ogun State has been intentional and deliberate in providing necessary infrastructure and implementing policies to create an enabling environment for businesses. We are concerned about both small and big businesses. You can see the results of this administration’s efforts in the investments that have flowed into the state. More are in the pipeline,” Abiodun said.
The governor assured stakeholders of the administration’s continued support for businesses across the state. He lauded the Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade and Investment (OGUNCCIMA) for its consistency and professionalism over the years and commended investors and members of the private sector for supporting the Trade Fair.
In his welcome address, President of OGUNCCIMA, Lion Niyi Osiyemi, commended the state government for creating an enabling environment for businesses to flourish. He said the support provided by the government had translated into six consecutive editions of the Trade Fair in the last six years.
Osiyemi appealed to the government to assist in constructing a permanent pavilion for the Chambers. He also called on participants to make good use of the Trade Fair platform to expand their networks and build strong partnerships that would grow their enterprises.
Speaking at the event, the National President of NACCIMA, Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, who was represented by Asiwaju (Dr.) Michael Cole, lauded the Ogun State Governor for implementing business-friendly policies. He said the conducive business environment had encouraged different investors to see Ogun State as a preferred location for establishing their businesses.
In her goodwill message, Dame Adesola Adebutu commended the present administration for consistently holding the Trade Fair over the past six years. She stressed the need for residents of the state to ensure that a commerce-friendly governor is elected. She added that the government should encourage traders and other business owners to join chambers of commerce, as is done in China.
Two exhibitors at the Fair, Mr. Razak Adeyemi and Mr. Matthew Adebayo, described the turnout of visitors as encouraging. They commended OGUNCCIMA and the state government for successfully organising this year’s edition.
The Trade Fair programme is an annual event organised by OGUNCCIMA in collaboration with the state government, bringing together businesses, investors and stakeholders to promote partnerships and economic growth.
