The Enugu State Government has described the private sector as the bedrock of growth and development of every society.
The deputy governor of the state, Ifeanyi Ossai stated this when he declared open the 36th edition of the Enugu International Trade Fair on behalf of Governor Peter Mbah.
Ossai noted that the administration has created an enabling environment for businesses and investments to thrive, and charged the organisers of the fair to set up a structure that would measure success through the number of jobs created, businesses and investments attracted.
The President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, Odega Jideonwo, noted the negative impact of the present economic challenges in the country which he said has been worsened by volatility in the price of oil.
This he said has made it imperative that Small and Medium Enterprises should be supported to grow and become the backbone of the industrial sector.
President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Dele Oye, represented by the president, South East/South South Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, SECCIMA, Humphrey Ngonadi, stressed the need to enhance production capacity, improve regulatory frameworks, and invest in technology-driven industrialization.
The Enugu international trade fair which is expected to last for 10 days and provides customers, participants, investors and exhibitors a platform for exchange of business Ideas and contacts.