ECOWAS Trade Fair goes to Togo

The Republic of Togo will in November 2011, host the sixth Trade Fair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a statement from the regional bloc says.

The trade fair is a regional platform for accessing West Africa’s market of some 300 million consumers.

It seeks to promote economic integration and trade among citizens in Member States, especially industrialists, investors, manufacturers, commercial operators and buyers.

According to ECOWAS, the Togolese government has confirmed it will host the fair.

“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”, the statement said.

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.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency James Victor Gbeho, has invited the private sector of the Peoples Republic of China to participate in the fair in order to strengthen the partnership between West Africa’s private sector and their Chinese counterparts.

By Ekow Quandzie