Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the forthcoming Gateway International Trade Fair 2022 which holds between March 25 and April 4, 2022  is the best Trade Fair in the history of the State.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe made the commitment in Abeokuta during a press conference heralding this year's edition themed, " Harnessing the Agricultural Value Chain for Sustainable Industrial and Economic Development".

The Commissioner assured that the Fair would be improved on through an increase in the quality of exhibitors and participants, adding that the programme would be mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.

"As Government, we want to improve on the number of participants that come to the Trade Fair this year. We look forward to more participants coming from Lagos and Ibadan, as well as other parts of the country by leveraging the rail network", Longe said.

In his contribution, the President, Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye stated that the Chambers had been leveraging on the industrial hub status of the State to improve the Trade Fair, adding that “the Chambers has received the commitment of a good number of blue-chip companies and multinational corporations like Dangote Group, Rite Foods Limited, Erisco Foods and commercial banks among others to participate at the Fair”.

Olaleye disclosed that exhibitors from India had signified interest in showcasing their goods at the event, revealing that 20 small business owners would be sponsored by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

He added that through the event, the Chambers would create more awareness during its discussion sessions on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and Alternative Dispute Resolution/Commercial Dispute Resolution (ADR/CDR).