Foreign exhibitors at the just-ended 16th Ghana International Trade Fair have expressed satisfaction with patronage of their goods and services though others believe there is still room for improvement.
Jamal Dabas, Managing Director of Jamal Company Limited from Syria, in an interview told CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE that he would partake in the next fair.
He noted that his confectionery, appetizers, culinary essentials such as olive oil, grains and butter, seasonings, pureed, were all bought by patrons.
Dabas said restaurants, hotels and expatriates from Arab countries mainly patronized his goods. �This is the tenth time I am coming for the fair and I will be here again,� said Dabas, who is in his 50s.
The 16th Ghana International Fair, themed �Harnessing opportunities for Ghana�s trade and industry,� which commenced from February 23 to March 11, 2012, attracted over 900 exhibitors comprising 600 local and 300 foreign companies.
Allan Star of Africa International, who has been taking part in the Ghana International Fair since 2000 to showcase products from Germany said, �Business was good but I wish I could sell more.�
However, Mr. Star was displeased with the organizers of the fair and described the entrance fee of GH�2 charged on ordinary days and GH�5 on weekends and holidays as expensive.
�Many people did not receive information that the fair was on-going and we also had power cuts which forced the fair to close early at some point and there was loud music everywhere. You could have more than two close places playing loud music with somebody speaking into a microphone when there was no crowd to address.�
Abdul Rama, who brought antic furniture from Egypt to the site said, �After three weeks of living in a hotel and waking up very early in the morning for the fair, I did not achieve my objective here.�
The distressed Rama noted that �most people who visited the stand liked the designs and quality of the furniture but complained that it was expensive. I know they do not have money, but I will come back. I am sure next year will be better.�
Mr Rama confirmed that he would keep the furniture in a warehouse until the next fair, noting, �I cannot guarantee the safety of my goods in the warehouse but I will only have to live with hope because it would be expensive to ship them back to Egypt.�
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