Kwara State Commissioner for Commerce and Cooperatives, Alhaji Mohammed Raji, has described trade fairs as catalysts for industrialisation, trade and investment prospects.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 2012 prospectus for the 6th Kwara Trade air in Ilorin on Tuesday, he said, "Trade fairs provide ample opportunities to market new innovations and bring sellers and buyers together for trade activities."

He commended the Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture for its role in the economic development of the state through the annual trade fair.

He said government's efforts ensure economic development could only be actualised through the cooperation of all stakeholders, especially the business sector.

Raji said the state government would continue to partner the association in its bid to achieve industrial and economic advancement. He stated that KWACCIMA had attracted many foreign investors to the state and played vital roles in the establishment of many small and medium enterprises.

President, KWACCIMA, Mr. Hezekiah Adedeji, said the fair would, attract chieftains of different sectors of the Nigerian economy, foreign diplomatic missions and businesses from the ECOWAS sub-region.

He described the, theme of the fair, "Unlocking the potential of Kwara State for sustainable development", as a good strategy for boosting the economy at micro and macro levels, thereby accelerating industrialisation.

Adedeji said, "The fair will provide an opportunity for us to showcase the vast resources of the state with a view to attracting investors and growing the economy. It is our hope that stakeholders will take advantage of the unique opportunity."

The Chairman, Kwara State Trade Fair Planning Committee, Mr. Tunde Oyawoye, has said that there would be adequate security for the fair scheduled to hold between October 22 and 31, in Ilorin.