Exhibitors at this year’s Lagos International Trade Fair have commended the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) for early allocation of space to them.

They said yesterday that early allocation of space was an indication that the fair would be a success.

Reports say that the fair, which begins today, will end on November 15 at the International Trade Fair Complex on Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

According to Mrs Faith Opara, one of the exhibitors, when space is allocated early, it allows exhibitors to put in place the necessary things that will make transactions easy during the fair.

“That of last year was late in terms of allocation of space, hence many exhibitors did not find things easy.

“You can see that the fair will start  today and almost all exhibitors have completed their stands,” Opara said.

Another exhibitor, Mr Owolabi Durotioye, said that apart from early allocation of space, the security arrangement seemed to be better.

Durotioye commended LCCI for ensuring that only exhibitors were allowed into the complex before the opening ceremony.

“Last year, all sorts of persons entered the fair ground and that really raised security questions,” he said.

However, the exhibitors decried the high cost of space at the fair.

Mr Chidi Obiukwu said that N6,000 per sq metre was high when compared to N4,500 charged last year.

Obiukwu said that the restriction of persons into the fair ground might also limit the number of youths who want to make some money through employment from the 10-day fair.