By Peter Egwuatu

Exhibition & Trade Fair Limited has urged the three tiers of government and other stakeholders in the country to partner with it so as to generate more income for the country through international trade exhibitions.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos over the weekend, Managing Director, Exhibition & Trade Fair Limited, a representative of Messe Frankfurt Exhibition, Germany, Mrs. Omonigho Itoya lamented that Nigeria has lost its pride in craftsmanship in Africa as severe losses has been recorded through product piracy.

According to her, “ Approximately 8 per cent of world trade is accounted for by trade with counterfeit products. No business platform brings together as many people as trade fairs.

To this extent, she highlighted the need for Nigerian government and other stakeholders in the fair business to develop data base for craftsmanship across the sectors and encourage craftsmen to form associations by registering them with relevant government agencies so that the country can have track records about their activities.

In her words, “ our target is to ensure that we have 50 per cent increase of exhibitors and visitors participation by 2015 in international fairs. We want to involve and work with the federal government, state government, chambers of commerce and associations to develop handicrafts and other sectors. Nigeria has great potentials and talents to lead Africa in crafts exhibition if it will able to organise crafts men and women to form registered groups or associations based on sectors.”

Nevertheless, she identified lack of finance as a major challenges to international trade fair exhibition participation.

Omonigho, disclosed that its company is prepared to help craftsmen and women raise funds to participate in international fairs provided they are able to organise themselves in groups or associations

According to her, it is painful when people from other countries come to our country to buy our made in Nigeria products only to add value and bring them for trade exhibition and make a lot of money at the expense of the nation.

To actualize the vision 2020, participation of international fair is a must for Nigerians because it is a form of branding that would promote the country towards achieving its mission of growing the economy.

“ There are 91 trade fair taking place all over the world. Fairs bring together manufacturers and buyers all over the world. Africa has a lot to offer to the world and most of the international communities are looking on to Nigeria. Small Scale Enterprises (SMEs) can utilise the enormous opportunities that can be derived from attending/exhibiting at trade fairs to promote their goods.

As a visitor attending any of Messe Frankfort trade fairs either home or abroad you are sure to have ultimate value for your investment. The Messe Frankfort trade fairs have 9 trade fairs, 63,400 exhibitors, 385 million international trade fair visitors and exhibition space of 578,000 sqm” he emphasized.

While explaining the mission of Exhibition & Trade Fair Limited, she said, “ our mission is to provide customized professional services tailored to specific needs of exhibitors and visitors to Messe Frankfort international trade fairs. We are committed to excellent customer satisfaction, through efficient negotiation with all relevant bodies and other tailor made services geared toward making our fairs the required platform to give any business the edge it need to succeed in a modern business community.”