TRADE FAIR EXHIBITORS BEMOAN HIGH COST OF STANDS, GATE FEES

A number of exhibitors at the ongoing 18th Ghana International Trade Fair have stated that the high cost of the stands and gate fees are adversely affecting patronage of the event.

According to them, the cost of a stand is too expensive, thereby discouraging potential exhibitors from patronising the event.

One of them said, “people are saying the products being exhibited here are already on the market so why should they pay to come and patronise products they can always buy from the open market.”

Feedback

These were the feedbacks received when the Daily Graphic interacted with a number of exhibitors at this year’s trade fair.

The fair, which is on the theme; “Development through Trade and Investment,” has attracted over 400 local and international exhibitors, according to Mr Abdul-Shakuru Zakaria, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited.

It is being organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) in collaboration with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).

The number of exhibitors notwithstanding, believe this year’s fair could have been better if a number of steps had been taken.

At the Akosombo Paper Mill stand, attendants said there was no effective pre-fair publicity to create awareness in order to boost patronage.