Sola Ojo, Kaduna
As Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) marks 40 years, President Muhammadu Buhari has been billed to declare this year’s trade fair open.
The chamber is expected to host businessmen from countries, including India, Pakistan, Cameroon, Egypt, China, Iran, Niger Republic and Bangladesh, who have so far indicated interests to participate at the fair.
In a press conference at the Chamber’s conference room at Km 4, Kaduna – Zaria road, Rigachikun on Monday, 2nd Deputy President, KADCCIMA, Suleiman Aliyu, said this year’s fair would address how to combine agriculture with industry in such a way as to shift Nigeria’s economic focus away from oil.
He added that the fair, earlier scheduled for February, was moved to March because of the changes in the election time table.
“We are already in contact with industrialists, manufacturers, producers, fabricators, distributors and marketers, both within and outside the country, inviting them to come and participate at this year’s fair,” Aliyu stated.
“The unique thing, though we are building on the previous themes, is to see how we can connect agriculture with industry. We are focusing on agriculture and industry because of the discrepancies that have existed between the two over the years.
“We are going to be identifying with less privileged members of the society, host communities and commissioning of projects, organising some personalities who have contributed to the KADCCIMA since its inception four decades ago, as well as the prospects of businesses in Nigeria.
He continued that “Kaduna State was recently rated top in ease of doing business. That would not have happened without the input of KADCCIMA and we are happy and proud if that achievement.”