President Musa Yar Adua is said to have accepted to declare the 2008 Lagos international trade fair open on the 7th of November at the Lagos international trade fair complex.

In a parley with the press, the chairman, trade promotion board of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mr. Goodie Ibru said His Excellency has agreed to declare the trade fair open and that they have made all necessary arrangements for the 2008 Lagos international trade fair and that they are well prepared for the fair.

The theme of the fair is "Boosting Entrepreneurial Development for Investment Growth" which is said to underscore the significance of entrepreneurs in the drive to boost investment and accelerate economic growth. "the soul and main drivers of any economy are the entrepreneurs. They are the risk takers, the wealth creators and the innovators.

They provide the platform to boost incomes and reduce poverty through the creation of jobs. An economy can only progress at a pace proportional to the development of its corps of entrepreneurs. We are committed to ensuring that the Lagos international trade fair remains the biggest and the best in Nigeria and possibly in Africa" he said.

Mr. Ibru disclosed and that the chambers has concluded arrangements to work in collaboration with the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC) and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure effective vehicular traffic control on the roads leading to and the vicinity of the trade fair complex and that they are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure that the condition of the road leading to the complex is improved.

According to him, the chambers has contracted reputable companies to supply five 500KVA generators to provide power for the trade fair arena throughout the duration of the fair and has also made provision for good security cover for all visitors and exhibitors and has engaged a reputable security firm, which will work in close collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, to ensure adequate security cover and that the CCTV camera shall be deployed to cover all locations on the fair arena

"Let me also seize this opportunity to invite investors, private sector players and public institutions that have not booked their space in the fair to do so without delay.

There is a lot to be gained by coming on board to a trade promotion platform which is the biggest and the best in Nigeria.

This is a renewed call to investors in all sectors of the economy including the financial services; food & beverages; gricultural machineries, processing, preservation and packaging equipments; building & construction; information technology; telecommunication; motor vehicles & motor cycles; tractor & equipment; packaging; local fabrication; fashion products; textile; jewries & personal care products; oil & gas (upstream & downstream); health care product & medicament; educational materials; science equipment; home appliances; tourism & hospitality; fit-lateral chambers & other trade associations; professional bodies; professional services; electrical & electronics; engineering services; cosmetics & beauty products; health-care services, including alternative medicine and many more" he stated.