Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Trade fairs serve as vital platforms for showcasing products, fostering business connections, and promoting local industries. In Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State, trade fairs are significant economic events that attract participants from various sectors, including agriculture, crafts, and small-scale manufacturing. These fairs provide opportunities for local businesses to display their products, network with potential clients, and explore new markets. According to Agbo and Ocholi (2024), trade fairs contribute to local economic development by enhancing business visibility, facilitating knowledge exchange, and attracting investments. Despite their potential, the contribution of trade fairs to promoting local industries in Wukari is often constrained by challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited marketing, and insufficient stakeholder support. This study examines the contribution of trade fairs to promoting local industries in Wukari, focusing on their benefits, challenges, and implications for sustainable economic growth.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Local industries in Wukari face challenges such as limited market access, low visibility, and inadequate resources for growth. While trade fairs offer a platform for addressing these challenges, their potential remains underutilized due to factors such as poor organization, limited participation, and lack of strategic planning. Previous research has explored the economic impact of trade fairs but has not adequately examined their role in promoting local industries in Wukari (Bello & Yusuf, 2023). This gap in research limits the ability of stakeholders to leverage trade fairs for industrial development. This study seeks to address these issues by evaluating the contribution of trade fairs to promoting local industries in Wukari Local Government Area.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1. To assess the role of trade fairs in promoting local industries in Wukari.
2. To identify challenges affecting the effectiveness of trade fairs.
3. To propose strategies for enhancing the contribution of trade fairs to local industrial growth.
1.4 Research Questions
1. How do trade fairs promote local industries in Wukari?
2. What challenges affect the effectiveness of trade fairs in Wukari?
3. What strategies can enhance the contribution of trade fairs to local industrial growth?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
1. H₁: Trade fairs significantly contribute to the promotion of local industries in Wukari.
2. H₂: Challenges in trade fair organization negatively impact their effectiveness.
3. H₃: Strategic interventions can enhance the role of trade fairs in promoting local industries.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it explores the contribution of trade fairs to promoting local industries in Wukari, providing insights for event organizers, local businesses, and policymakers. The findings contribute to academic literature on trade fair management and local economic development, offering practical recommendations for enhancing their effectiveness. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of trade fairs in fostering industrial growth, business innovation, and community development.
1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study focuses on the contribution of trade fairs to promoting local industries in Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State. It excludes other aspects of trade fair impacts and focuses specifically on their role in industrial promotion. Limitations may include variations in stakeholder participation and access to detailed data on trade fair activities.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
1. Trade Fairs: Organized events where businesses showcase their products and services to potential customers and partners.
2. Local Industries: Small- and medium-scale businesses that operate within a specific geographical area.
3. Industrial Promotion: Activities aimed at enhancing the growth and visibility of local businesses.
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