The Kogi State Government has disclosed plans to host a trade fair and resuscitate its moribund State People Consumer Shop (KOPECS) to boost the state\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
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The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Muktar Shuaibu, made the disclosure in Lokoja on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Shuaibu said the state government has commenced discussing with partners in Kano State for the successful hosting of the trade fair.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not happy that for some time, Kogi has not been organising trade fairs, which open opportunities for businessmen and women to thrive as well as boost our economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a matter of time and this fair will be successfully hosted, more so that Kogi is a gateway to both the northern and southern parts of the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a plan to build a huge market, where humongous goods can be brought and displayed for the desired patronage by all and sundry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe Kogi has what it takes to be a hub of commerce, and we have what it takes to compete with Lagos state, if not beyond its capacity. \u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The commissioner disclosed that the government was considering resuscitating the Kogi state people consumer shop to control the hike in prices of goods in the state.<\/p>\n
He expressed worry over the high cost of goods, especially food stuff in the markets as a result of the prevailing economic hardship in the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis government is worried over the hunger and challenges in the land and will do all it can to alleviate the pains of residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shop, when on stream, will help to drastically reduce the prices of goods in our markets to benefit residents, \u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On the economy, Shuaibu said the government was in talks with some foreign investors on how they could come in and contribute to the growth and development of the state.<\/p>\n
According to him, discussions with some South African investors are in Agriculture, Tourism and Mining and very soon, Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) will be signed.<\/p>\n
The commissioner said Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo was determined to achieve the desired growth and development, to uplift the living standards of residents in the state.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Kogi State Government has disclosed plans to host a trade fair and resuscitate its moribund State People…\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[34,2409],"class_list":{"0":"post-11077","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-businessnews","8":"tag-kogi","9":"tag-trade-fair"},"yoast_head":"\n