The 34th edition of the Kaduna state International Trade Fair (KITF) will hold from Friday, February 22 to Sunday, March 3, 2013, the Deputy President of the Kaduna State Chamber of Commerce Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Awwalu M. Makarfi, has disclosed.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna today, Makarfi, who is also the Chairman of the Trade Fair Organising Committee, said the fair will be formally declared open at 10am on February 23.

“As you must have noticed from the proposed dates, the 34th edition of the Fair is being planned to hold at the usual February and March period. With the improved security situation our chamber is determined to keep to the dates with the help and mercy of the Almighty God,” he said. 

According to him, the theme of the 34th KITF is “Combating Security Challenges and the way forward for Nigerian Economy Transformation.”

“Nigeria as a country has been facing serious security challenges particularly within the last three years. These challenges have obviously impacted negatively in our socio-economic activities and political life. Consequently, security has remained the priority issue of all our tiers of government at all levels,” Makarfi.

“Effort of the government and its agencies, the contributions of religious and traditional institutions as well as those of numerous organisations toward restoring peace and development pace in the country are highly appreciated and commended,” he added.

The KITF chief organiser further explained that the fair is expecting both local and international participants as usual, adding that already arrangements for participation of countries like Egypt, Iran, Niger Republic, Pakistan and People’s Republic of China are at advanced stages.

He explained that the choice of the theme was not coincidental as the process had reckoned with current realities on ground, adding that the chamber intends to appreciate and compliment government effort towards combating the embattled security challenges in the country, particularly in the state.

News Express recalls that the 33rd edition of the KITF had to be rescheduled twice due to the security situation in the state and the country in general before it was finally held in April/May.

•Photo: People trooping into the venue of a past edition of the Fair.