By Amos Igbebe, Asaba
Four days into the two-week Delta 2015 Trade Expo, business activities at the event centre-venue of this year’s trade expo is gathering momentum as participants are in high spirit, anticipating bumper sales and viable economic acquaintances.
Although as at 12:00 pm Monday, the number of participants at the event was still far below the over 10,000 expected participants, indications are high that the number would improve considering the number of participants that have indicated interest and were already trooping in.
However, 247Ureports can report that participation has been witnessing progressive turn-out as entrepreneurs in the state, particularly those in the capital city, Asaba, have taken advantage of the Expo to exhibit their wares.
Early callers at the Expo include an Asaba-Based Italian Firm, Master Furniture, RT. BRISCOE MOTORS, Geoelis Cables Limited, O’tres Eateries, UCK Properties, Presswin Table Water, as well as a medical team, among others.
Some of the participants who spoke with our Reporter, urged Deltans to take advantage of the Expo to purchase quality and affordable items as, according to them, they are offering a wide range of rebates.
Particularly, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of U.C.K Properties, Mr. Franklin Kene Obi, said the company is offering 35 per cent discount on any item purchased at the stand.
It would be recalled that the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, at the weekend, expressed optimism that given the level of commitments by the state government as well as the partnering private sectors, the expo would achieve the desired result.
He explained that following deluge of requests from prospective exhibitors who have indicated interest to attend the trade expo as, according to them, the period was short; organizers of the event have concluded arrangement to shift the closing date from May 16 to May 20.
“This is a good start and it is a departure from what it used to be in the past; definitely, with what we have done now, people will begin to develop more interest in future trade fairs in the state
“As I am talking to you now, there are a lot of clarion calls that the exhibition should be extended so that those who are still making preparations could attend. Based on that, we are looking at the possibilities of extending the exhibition by four days. Therefore, it will now end on May 20th, Ekiyor said.
On the continuous low turnout of exhibitors, the Commissioner said that should not be a source of worry, insisting that indications are high that exhibitors are in high spirit to attend to expo.
“We are very much prepared for this event. On the part of the state government, we have done what we are expected to do the rest is on the part of the Delta Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA) and the exhibitors.
“As you can see, people are already trooping in even though today is the first day of the event” Ekiyor stressed
