Tropicana trade fair which kicked off on Friday, November 25 at the Tropicana mall ground in Uyo, Akwa Ibom Capital would promote commerce, tourism and boast the economy of the state; the organizers of the event had revealed.
Tropicana trade fair was organised by the Management of Tropicana Mall in collaboration with Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, Ibom Air and the Ministry of Trade and Investments.
The event which had over 60 vendors displaying their wares ranging from groceries, clothings, electronics, accessories, kiddies
toys, children cloths, perfumes, cosmetics and hairs was meant to last for one week.
Declaring the event open at the Tropicana grounds on Friday, Chairman of AKICorp, Dr Elijah Akpan, noted that the mall had encouraged tourism as many people would be trooping to the fair because of the mall.
Akpan noted that Tropicana Mall can comfortably compete with any mall in the world, adding that it has encouraged commerce in the state.
Also speaking, the General Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ibom Air, Aniekan Essienette, revealed that the idea of the trade fair was conceived during the third anniversary of Ibom Air stressing that it would open up the state to commerce.
“I want you all to patronize the vendors here. We are opening up the state to commerce. We have a couple of brands: we have the fashion, accessories, games, kiddies, children cloths and hairs. It ties us to what we want to achieve that we don’t have to wait till summer before we start shopping for our families for christmas.
“It gives Akwa Ibomite the opportunity to be closer to the market and get their Christmas shopping done at a discount. That is the purpose of putting up this fair so you don’t need to travel far to get your things for the family. The fair has a high economic impact as most of the products are sold quicker than when they were in their normal place.”
On his part, the Commissioner, Ministry of Trade and Investments, Mr Camillus Umo, said it was a marketing opportunity and potential for Akwa Ibom people to buy and sell, and make Akwa Ibom their brand.
“Akwa Ibom is sitting on rubies. What we are seeing is seeming teething problem that gives the impetus why this trade fair is held. This trade fair is held as an incentive to increase food traffic into Tropicana; to identify the marketing opportunities and potentials in Akwa Ibom, especially Uyo; to elevate, multiply and scale up the marketing level, buying power of the average Akwa Ibomite, to make Akwa Ibom their brand.
Convener, Uyo Fashion Week, May Edmund explained that Akwa Ibom is a brand that the people are proud of, adding that the fair was an encouragement to entrepreneurs and called on the people to do more, sell something, no matter how small and see it grow.
