The maiden edition of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) trade fair of indigenous products and services is set to take place in Abuja by October, the Special Assistant to the President on NEPAD has said.

Ambassador Tunji Olagunju said this yesterday in Abuja at an interactive session with Ambassadors/High Commissioners of African countries on the forthcoming trade fair.

He said that the trade fair, an initiative of the African Trade Centre in collaboration with NEPAD Nigeria, is to sensitize and mobilize the private sector to take proactive measures to stimulate intra African trade.

He said that the fair was aimed at encouraging the collaboration and competition of products and services as well as deepening awareness of the needs, capabilities and potentials of Africa's trades and markets as pivotal ingredients in its development.

"We recognize the need for partnership between private and civil society sectors and between the grassroots as essential to stimulate proactive response to sustainable intra-African trade," he said.

The trade fair which is scheduled to run between October 23 to 31 will draw participants from all sectors of the African economy.