Foreign companies from across West Africa have indicated interest to participatein this year’s Gateway International Trade Fair billed for April 19 and April 29 in Ogun State.
   
Also, stakeholders in the food, beverages, health, financial, agriculture and other manufacturing sectors, as well as players in small and medium scales businesses have also indicated interest with the booking of pavilions and spaces at the trade fair complex. 
   
According to the organisers, companies like Leadway Assurance, Lafarge, International Breweries, Apples and Pears, Rite foods, Industrial Platform, Remo (Arise), GB foods, Bank of Industry (BOI), Gateway Mortgage Bank, Providus Bank, First Bank, Sterling Bank, Lotus Bank and several regulatory agencies, such as NAFDAC are expected at the exhibition.
   
The theme for this year’s event is “Achieving Economic Prosperity Through Business Connection, Trade and Investment.”
   
This is just as Ogun State government has assured of adequate security of lives and property during the event, aside putting in place other logistics to make the trade fair a world-class event.
   
President of the Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), Engr. Mike Akingbade, while speaking on preparations so far, said his organisation has been working in tandem with the state government to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
   
He promised that the new innovations being introduced this year are geared towards ensuring that more participants attend the showpiece.
 
The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Industry, Oluyemisi Somorin-Dawodu, earlier said that this year’s trade fair would be more than just the exhibition of products, adding that other economic and trade-related activities have been lined up to make the experience more worthwhile for participants.

According to her, new innovations such as a raffle draw with the grand prize of a two-bedroom bungalow and an entertainment village are expected to add glamour to the event.