Tuesday February 24' 2004

Chamber makes over 1.8 mln Br from trade fair
 

By Groum Abate

The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce (AACC) has secured over 1.8 million Birr from it’s 8th International Trade Fair that kicked off Thursday, February 19. Even though officials of the chamber declined to confirm the amount, the real profit would be known soon after the accounting work is done. 

This year’s event saw 208 foreign and local companies participating in the fair, a decline by 52 from last year’s participation, in which 260 companies were included.

Observers said that this year’s event that attracted 97 foreign companies from 26 countries, including first time participants from Netherlands, Tanzania, Japan is much better organized than last year’s fair when participants voiced dissatisfaction referring to it as messy.

The 8th Addis Chamber International Trade Fair that was officially opened by Girma Biru Minister of Trade and Industry has also attracted 111 local companies. Eight companies have sponsored the event including Ethiopian Airlines and SGS pre-shipment inspection.

Different companies from fast consumable products to huge machineries are displayed in the fair also attracting more visitors from last year’s event.