Lome — The Government of Togo will in November 2011 host the 6th ECOWAS Trade Fair, a regional platform for accessing West Africa's market of some 300 million consumers. In a letter to the Togolese Government confirming the hosting mandate, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency James Victor Gbeho, assured that the Commission would deploy all necessary resources to ensure a successful hosting, comparable to the 2003 edition hosted by the Country.
To this end, a four-day meeting of the Regional Organizing Committee (ROC) has just ended in Lome, the Togolese capital to fine tune arrangements for the hosting. Members of the ROC used the opportunity of their meeting to pay a courtesy visit on the Togolese Minister of Commerce, Mr. Kwesi Seleagodji Ahoomey-Zunu, on Thursday, 30th June 2011 on the sidelines of their meeting in Lome. During the visit, the head of the ECOWAS delegation, Mr. Adou Koman thanked the Government of Togo for accepting to host the fair and briefed him on the developments that resulted in the change of venue. In his response, Minister Ahoomey-Zunu acknowledged the challenges related to the hosting of the fair within the time-frame allowed but assured members of the Committee of Togo's determination to organize a successful fair towards the realization of the Community's objective of economic integration. The 17-day fair, which begins on 25th November 2011, will be held alongside the 9th Lome International Trade Fair, a special arrangement made between the ECOWAS Commission and the Government of Togo, due to the inability of Cote d'Ivoire to host the fair in 2010 as earlier planned.
As with previous fairs, the 2011 edition seeks to promote economic integration and trade among citizens in Member States, especially industrialists, investors, manufacturers, commercial operators and buyers. It will feature products and services originating in the region, including industrial products, animal husbandry and fishing, minerals, cottage industry, textiles and services in various sectors. The trade fair will also afford participants the opportunity to take part in conferences, seminars and workshops on various themes related to the overall theme of the fair. In addition, participants would be able to exhibit their products and services and meet other professionals with the prospect of concluding business deals that would promote trade and help improve the living standards of Community citizens. On the sidelines of the fair, participants will be treated to an ECOWAS food exhibition featuring cuisines and drinks from the host country and participating Member States. There will also be country "National Days," an enlightenment programme that would enable visitors appreciate other cultural products from the region for the promotion of tourism. Consistent with its theme, "Strengthening Intra-Community Trade through Public- Private Partnership," and in line with its tradition, the fair will be open to economic operators from across the globe intending to do business with, or invest in, West Africa. Previously held every four years, the ECOWAS Trade Fair is now a biennial event. Senegal hosted the first edition in 1995, followed by Ghana in 1999, Togo in 2003, Nigeria in 2005 and Burkina Faso in 2008.
