The President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar has said that they are committed to supporting the business skills of community women in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and its environs.
Dr Abubakar made this known on Saturday during the Arahah market side event held at the premises of the ACCI Km 8, Umaru Yar’Adua Expressway, Abuja.
He said the mission of the ACCI is to provide high-quality, affordable produce and expand the business skills of community women.
He added that their aim is to support and promote a digital trading platform for local businesses and SMEs, training and capacity building, improved sustainable agricultural production and e-commerce.
ACCI President noted that the Arahah market started in 2020 with the unveiling of the market at the convention centre of ACCI in December 2020 which marked the first edition of the market, saying that the market has witnessed improved patronage since its inauguration.
He explained that the market is a platform set aside to boost revenue-generating capacities, bridge the middlemen gap and grant market access to customers. And he said this special edition has brought together business persons from various trades with special focus on the South-East traders.
According to him, “I am particularly impressed that the Arahah market will serve as a gateway to economic development by bringing producers, regulators, off-takers and exporters of commodities within the African countries and globally together in one location.
“I want to use this platform to renew the commitment of the chamber, to continuously provide platforms to market products and services and encourage packaging for exports that meets regulatory requirements and international best practices.
“The concept of the digital trading platform which is also a component of the market will greatly increase the access to market and remove logistics bottlenecks associated to the physical markets.
“The chamber through its secretariat and the four centres namely Abuja Trade Center, Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre, Dispute
Resolution Centre, and Policy Advocacy Centre, will continue to support the Arahah market initiative through its various program and activities
“Therefore, I encourage everyone to participate fully in the market by buying, selling, networking and taking advantage of every opportunity provided by this market,” he said.
According to Victoria Akai, ACCI DG, the ACCI provides the enabling environment for women within the FCT and its environs to sell their products at the Arahah market holding at the convention centre of ACCI with no cost.
She emphasized that their aim is to support and promote a digital trading platform for local businesses and SMEs, training and capacity building, improved sustainable agricultural production and e-commerce.
The DG ended by saying that women should explore this opportunity available to them by key into what is going at the ACCI.
Meanwhile the conveners of the Arahah market; Adanma Ogumka-Ekeji ( National Coordinator, Showcase Nigeria Initiative and Ms Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, Founder of Women Advance Development-Human Initiative (WADHI) both pledged to teach their fellow women how to sell their products from the comfort of their homes.
One of the sellers, Ms Elizabeth Otu who trades on Plantain and Rice Flour says they are selling at the lowest price at Arahah Market, therefore, urged FCT residents to capitalize on the trend and come patronizing them whenever they gather at the market side event at the convention centre of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Airport Road, Abuja.
