Port Harcourt will play host
to the first ever South-South regional International Trade Fair to be organized  by the Forum of South-South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (FOSSCIMA).
FOSSCIMA President, Billy Gillis-Harry, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Port Harcourt said the event is billed to hold between 10th and 30th April 2016 at Isaac Boro Park.
He said over 500 companies from across the country and the West African sub-region would participate at the event which he is optimistic would be one of the best trade fairs in Nigeria.
Apart from participants from the nation and West-African sub-region, renowned corporate groups from the European Union would equally grace the event as according to the FOSSCIMA boss, some of the expert firms from Europe had written to the chambers to indicate their preparedness to attend.
“The 1st South-South International Trade Fair is a mult-dimensional trade fair which will provide an ideal and perfect business matchmaking platform for manufacturer, importers, service providers, investors and visitors to meet and discuss business opportunities.
“It will showcase products from the manufacturing industries ranging from food and beverages, garments, textiles and fashion accessories, footwear, gifts and decorative items,” Harry said.
Other areas that would be covered include health, beauty products, industrial equipment, electronics  communication equipment, banking, insurance as well as financial products.
FOSSCCIMA, as the largest and most active regional chamber of commerce in the Niger Delta, is out to build, promote and protect businesses through sharing of relevant knowledge and information.
The President explained that the trade fair is part of the body’s effort towards advocating on behalf of businesses whether large or small within the region to foster economic development.
To ensure that the fair meets all its objectives, Harry stated that FOSSCCIMA would work in partnership with Medallion Marketing Limited, a foremost exhibition management firm and Free born, a renowned consulting firm.
Another unique aspect of the event is what he termed RUMSSY project-registering unemployed South-South Youths that will, in a three-week initiative link-up an estimated 100 companies and 50,000 youths to prospective employers.
Throwing more light on the RUMSSY project, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the trade fair, Hon Austine Atakpu, said,” RUMSSY 2016 will not only provide opportunity for these unemployed youths to connect with prospective employers, but an evenue for them to gain skills and knowledge needed to reach their career goals.”
According to Atakpu, the fair with its theme.’ Growing the South-South Economy to Establish Enduring Peace and Security of the Region to impact Nigeria,’ would also incorporate “Nights of stars,’ a talent hunt project to identify, showcase and enable potential young change makers from the region to actualise their talent entertainent industry.

Chris Oluoh