The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to provide relevant infrastructure to promote national economic growth.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga made the pledge on Saturday in Kaduna at the opening of the 34th edition of Kaduna International Trade Fair.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Dauda Kigbu, the minister said the government would provide trade fair complexes, shopping malls and modern abattoirs in the geo-political zones to boost domestic and international trade and investment.

According to him, the Federal Government is conscious of its social and economic responsibilities to Nigerians and the international community.

“The task of growing the country’s economy to an enviable height cannot be attained without sustainable economic development through stable and adequate power supply.

“This is why it has placed energy and power on the front burner of national economic development through the power sector road map as a foundation for inclusive growth, wealth creation, food security and reduction of cost of doing business in the country.”

Aganga pledged to enhance more collaboration with the private sector in order to fast track the industrial development of the country.

He said the ministry would welcome ideas, proposals and initiatives for the successful execution of the national industrial revolution plan recently launched by the government.

Aganga assured that the Federal Government’s ongoing reform programme “result in vibrant private sector participation and increased economic efficiency”.

He appealed to Nigerians to support the government in its effort to achieve the desired economic transformation to facilitate foreign investment and industrial revolution.

Earlier, the President of Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr Abdul-Alimi Bello, expressed concern that the security threats and challenges in the North had negatively affected socio-economic activities in the region.

Bello said the situation informed the choice of the theme of the fair; “Combating security challenges and the way forward for Nigeria’s economic transformation.”

“The purpose is to appreciate more and compliment government effort towards combating these challenges, as security remained the top priority issue of all our tiers of government at all levels.

“As a responsible chamber, we believe we have a role to play too and we are confident that this edition of the fair would record a larger turnout and participation despite the fear and reservations expressed by some prospective participants.”

He said plans were under way to introduce more activities outside the traditional trade fair activities to ensure all-year-round events.

“The chamber had last year hosted agriculture and education fairs which turned out to be a huge success. Same are being planned for this year to sustain the tempo.”

The president said the chamber was however facing financial challenges and commended Dangote group, Unity Bank, First Bank and Fidelity Bank as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria for their support.

The Tide reports that the chamber is hosting a quiz competition for selected science secondary schools in the North and a seminar to be chaired by General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

A total of 15 countries are expected to participate during the 10-day fair.