Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has assured that his government would not relent at providing a favourable ambience for businesses to thrive in the state, noting that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other categories of businesses are vital to economic development,

He said this while declaring open the 8th Gateway Trade Fair 2017, with the theme, “Promoting Agricultural Value Chain Through SMEs for Nigeria’s Economic Recovery”, at the MKO Abiola Trade Fair Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, yesterday.

The governor was optimistic that the nation has a bright future because of current efforts by the government to take full advantage of the value-chain in agriculture.

He noted that Ogun State occupies a vantage position as it is endowed with favourable weather condition, peace and access to not only the rest of Nigeria but also the entire West African market.

In his address, National President of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief Bassey Edem, appreciated the passion and commitment of the Amosun-led government in the development of infrastructure, which he said, has in turn attracted countless number of industries to the state.

Edem, who was represented by the First Deputy National President of the chamber, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, noted that the influx of industries to Ogun State has promoted economic development and improved the state as the industrial capital of the nation.

Speaking earlier, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, said the Gateway Trade Fair has provided a platform for manufacturers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to come together and explore the diverse opportunities in Ogun State to improve its economy.

His counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo, who explained that the potentials in agriculture would be explored to take the nation out of the current economic challenges, charged youths to be worthy participants in the efforts by taking advantage of the agricultural value chain.

In her address, the President, Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Chief Adesola Adebutu, while commending the state government for supporting and promoting the activities of the chamber, solicited more partnership from the government in the area of infrastructural development.

•Photo shows,L-R; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba BimboAshiru, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, President, Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), representative of the National President, Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Iyalode Alaba Lawson and Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo at the opening ceremony of the 8th Gateway Trade Fair in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday.