FG inaugurates committee for 2015 NEPAD Trade Fair

Amb. Fidelia Njeze, Special Assistant to the President on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has inaugurated a 25-member planning committee for the 2015 NEPAD Trade Fair.This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, NEPAD Nigeria, Mrs Janet McDickson, on Saturday in Abuja.The statement said the committee was headed by Mr Sunday Ogu, Director, Programme Developing and Implementation, NEPAD Nigeria.It quoted the special assistant as urging the committee to work assiduously and ensure a successful 2nd edition of the fair scheduled to hold in October.The
statement said Nigeria and other African countries have identified the urgent need to diversify their economy, develop local contents, and enhance the competitiveness of their products in the International market.According to NAN, the statement said the fair with the theme “Harnessing Potentials for Inclusive Regional Growth” would be a platform for facilitating NEPAD products certification, designed to open windows of opportunities for ‘Made in African’ products.“It will also create a one stop market for African made goods and services and craft a standard of regulation for ensuring that only quality products are imported and exported from Africa,” it said.

 The statement said that the fair was initiated through collaboration between NEPAD Nigeria, and the Africa Trade Centre (ATC) with the support and approval of the Federal Government.It listed other partners to include the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, South Africa, and the African Diaspora Chamber of Commerce, United States of America.The statement said the one week fair would commence with a five-day exhibition of African made products, followed by a two-day Business and Investment Forum on Africa, and presentations of Africa Achievement Awards.Other highlights of the event include African movie premiere, African fashion parade and a Gallery of African Arts and Culture.The statement also quoted Njeze as appealing to the committee and all stakeholders to work together and efficiently to ensure a successful fair.Ogu was quoted in his remarks to have pledged that the committee would work together to host an event that would meet international standards.He stressed the need for Africa to trade more among one another and harness the economic benefits of its huge market for the purpose of boosting the local economy of the continent.The committee members were drawn from relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), ATC, African Diaspora Chamber of Commerce, NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, African Embassies and High Commissions.