International Trade Fair: FCT Minister woos investors
By Hudu Yakubu, Abuja
Investors have been called upon to take advantage of the favourable investment climate in the Nigerian Federal capital, Abuja, such as its central location good road and rail networks, presence of world class communication facilities as well as a major international airport and invest in the FCT.
The FCT Minister, Malam Mohammed Musa Bello who made the call at the official opening of the 15th Abuja International Trade Fair, stressed that the FCT Administration was working with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ABBUCI and other stakeholders to harmonise taxation so that payment of multiple taxes does not adversely affect businesses in the FCT.
The Minister said that the FCTA was working hard to create the enabling environment to make the Territory a major trading and business destination.
He said that the focus of the 15th edition of the fair, with the theme; “Trade and Commerce Beyond Borders”, was in tandem with President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda of putting Nigeria on the global map as a great trade and exporting nation. The theme, he added, was a call to look inwards.
According to him, “This theme is, indeed, a call to look inwards and harness all the abundant potentials of our great nation in areas of agriculture, mining and technology to not only rebuild our economy but also become a major commodity exporter”.
Malam Bello commended the management of the Chamber for ensuring that the fair still held in spite of the COVID 19 pandemic, adding that, “the Chamber’s innovative and result oriented ideas and activities have contributed in no small measure in raising the profile of the FCT as a growing commercial and industrial hub”.
He also commended the efforts of the outgoing President of the Chamber, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode in building the structures within the trade fair complex, which, he said, has improved the Abuja skyline.
The FCT Minister, in company of the Hon. Minister Industry, Trade and Investment Otunba Niyi Adebayo and other dignitaries also took a tour of the various exhibition stands.
Nnenna.O
