Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has flagged off the 15th Gateway International Trade Fair, themed “Promoting Businesses Through Partnerships”, at the M.K.O Abiola Trade Fair Complex, Laderin, Abeokuta.

Speaking at the programme on Wednesday, Abiodun charged participants to leverage the Commerce platform to network and build purposeful partnerships that would boost their businesses.

Represented by the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, the Governor said the Trade Fair had consistently been a platform for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their products and build connections that would help businesses as well as the state to prosper.

He noted that the government remained unwavering in its commitment to continually improving the business-enabling environment, adding that reforms and policies were already yielding positive results as the State continued to become a preferred destination for investors.

“Ogun State has been intentional and deliberate in providing necessary infrastructure and implementing policies to create an enabling environment for businesses. We are concerned about both small and big businesses. You can see the results of this administration’s efforts in the investments that have flowed into the state. More are in the pipeline,” Abiodun said.

The governor, who assured the administration’s continued support, lauded the OGUNCCIMA for its consistency and professionalism over the years and commended investors and members of the private sector for supporting the Trade Fair.

In his welcome address, President of OGUNCCIMA, Lion Niyi Osiyemi, commended the State government for creating an enabling business environment for businesses to flourish and for providing support, which had translated into six editions of the Trade Fair held consecutively in the last six years.

Osiyemi appealed to the Government to help construct a permanent pavilion for the Chambers. He called on participants to leverage the Trade Fair’s platform to expand their networks and build partnerships.

Speaking, National President of NACCIMA, Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, represented by Asiwaju (Dr.) Michael Cole, lauded the Ogun State Governor for his administration’s business-friendly policies, which have made the business environment conducive, adding that different investors now see Ogun State as a preferred destination for establishing their businesses.

In her goodwill message, Dame Adesola Adebutu commended the present administration for consistently holding the Trade Fair in the last six years, stressing the need for residents of the State to ensure a commerce-friendly Governor is elected. She added that the government needs to encourage traders and other business owners to join chambers of Commerce, as is the case in China.

Two of the exhibitors at the Fair, Mr Razak Adeyemi and Mr Matthew Adebayo, said the turnout of visitors had been encouraging and commended OGUNCCIMA and the State government for this year’s edition.

The Trade Fair programme is an annual event organised by the Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade and Investment (OGUNCCIMA) in collaboration with the state government.