New dates for Intra-African Trade Fair
BUSINESS REPORTER
The second edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021) will run from December 8 to 14 than earlier scheduled to allow for a broader roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines across the continent and ensure the event is held under the most optimal health conditions, organisers have said.
The fair was supposed to run from September 6 to 12 in Kigali, Rwanda.
This year’s fair is being organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union (AU) and the Government of Rwanda.
The decision to change the dates was made at the extraordinary meeting of the IATF2021 Advisory Council held virtually last week.
The new date will enable organizers to take stock of all the latest safety precautions, allow for wider roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines and to put in place effective Covid-19 safety and prevention protocols, organisers have said.
Olusegun Obasanjo, IATF2021 Advisory Council Chairman and former President of Nigeria, said that the new dates would also give countries and businesses more time to prepare for IATF2021.
“Our intent is that all participants garner the full benefits of the abundant networking, trade and investment opportunities that will arise at IATF2021. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a lot of enthusiasm for the event. The extra time given to preparatory activities and effective roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines will allow IATF2021 to be held under favourable conditions, giving more confidence to participating governments, exhibitors, buyers, conference delegates and other visitors,” Obasanjo said.
“IATF2021 will bring together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services, and explore business and investment opportunities enabled by the single market created by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to accelerate Africa’s integration and industrialisation agenda.”
There is a push to drive intra-African trade.
This has seen the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which began trading on January 1.
AfCFTA is the world’s biggest FTA by number of countries. A recent report by the World Bank Group said AfCFTA will lift an additional 30m people out of extreme poverty.
