FEATURE: Aba International Trade Fair Falls Short Of Expectations

The highly anticipated 2024 Aba International Trade Fair, which ran from November 28th to December 7th, has come and gone, leaving behind mixed reactions from participants and attendees.

Promoted extensively for months, the trade fair was organized by the Abia State Government in collaboration with various organizations, including the Aba Chamber of Commerce, with the aim of attracting active participation from individuals and businesses alike.

The inclusion of the word “international” in this year’s Aba Trade Fair sends a novel attractive signal to the world that this time, Aba’s trade fair will be graced by businessmen and women from all around the world.

However, the reverse seems to be the case. Speaking on the general performance of the commercial activity, Participants— buyers and sellers— have aired their thoughts on how the Aba International Trade Fair turned out.

For some, the inclusion of “international” in the title was misleading. Mr. Ibezim Nwala, a buyer, voiced his frustration, saying the trade fair lacked the elements that would make it truly global.

“There is nothing like the Aba International Trade Fair. You might call it the Aba trade fair because if you call it international, I don’t see anything international happening there. The only foreign stand I saw was Julius Berger, and that’s because they are working for the government,” he said.

For traders like Audrey Chidera, the event failed to live up to its expectations. She lamented the low turnout of attendees and the fact that things were still being sold at a high price which she believed undermined the purpose of the trade fair.

“Goods are supposed to be slashed to a certain percentage to attract people, that’s the whole idea of having a trade fair. Businesses come together, more of networking and connecting but we didn’t see much of those things.

“It was not what we expected. The popular brands we expected to see like Oraimo, techno and all the rest we didn’t see them. Most people who came to purchase electronics at low cost were disappointed. I expect the committee to do better. Kudos to them but we expect better next year,” she said.

Speaking to The Whistler, Miss Ayomide Praise, another trader, acknowledged the effort put into the event but highlighted several shortcomings. According to her, the absence of major stakeholders and sponsors was a glaring issue.

“It’s called an international trade fair, so it should have major sponsors and stakeholders present, engaging with business owners and fostering partnerships. Instead, it just felt like another market day,” she noted.

Praise also criticized the lack of proper infrastructure and organization. She pointed out that the exhibition stands were poorly constructed, making the environment less appealing to participants and visitors. She emphasized that the event should have been a platform for networking and business promotion, with active publicity of stands and a formal closing ceremony to create a lasting impression. However, these elements were missing, leaving the event feeling lacklustre.

The limited awareness outside the venue was another issue that many felt contributed to the poor turnout. Praise expressed hope that future editions would address these challenges, suggesting that organizers should focus on better marketing and building infrastructure that reflects the international standard the event aspires to achieve.

Despite the criticisms, there was an acknowledgement of the effort put into organizing the trade fair. While some attendees felt disappointed, others saw it as a step in the right direction. They called on the organizers to reinvest the profits into creating a better experience in the future. This includes attracting more international stakeholders, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering an environment conducive to networking and collaboration.

The 2024 Aba International Trade Fair may not have fully met expectations, but it showcased the potential of Aba as a commercial hub. If the identified issues are addressed, the Aba trade fair could evolve into a truly global event, which would greatly showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Abia State.

FEATURE: Aba International Trade Fair Falls Short Of Expectations is first published on The Whistler Newspaper