Business News of Wednesday, 31 August 2005

Source: GNA

Fair Organisers appeal for concessionary rates

Kumasi, Aug. 31, GNA-Trade Fair Organisers have made an appeal to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to offer indigenous organisers concessionary rates in the use of public premises for such fairs.

Mr. Walter Djokoto, Chief Executive of Driwald Consult, a Marketing and Communication Firm, who made the appeal noted that offering such concessionary rates would entice many more local enterprises to delve into the organisation of trade fairs, thereby boosting business in the system.

Mr. Djokoto made the appeal in a briefing with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Wednesday, on preparations so far made by the Driwald Consult towards launching of the Garment, Jewelry, Leather, Textiles and Accessories Trade Fair, scheduled for Kumasi next Friday, September 2, 2005.

About 90 Small and Medium Scale Enterpresis, from within and outside the country would be expected to participate in the 10-day trade fair.

He observed that presently rates of the public premises given out for renting for the purpose of organising trade fairs were "on the high side, and have thus contributed to the lukewarm attitude of most indigenous institutions organising fairs".

Mr. Djokoto reminded the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies that they only way they ccould demonstrate their concern for business growth in their areas is to be supportive of such fairs through granting of concessionary rates to organisers.

He entreated enterprises not to shy away from participating in fairs just because they are likely not to make bigger sales. Mr. Djokoto said their focus for participating in such fairs should not just be to sell their wares, but more importantly, establish contacts that would help open up more markets to them