Abidjan, Ivory Coast
The general commissioner for the Abidjan International Days for small-scale traders, Ali Coulibaly, has appealed for opening up of more markets for small- scale traders within member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Coulibaly who was speaking on Sunday during the closing ceremony of the International Days, said there is need to find more markets for the products of small-scale traders to enable them within the sub-region to increase their income.
“It’s on this basis that these types of activities were initiated to create a platform for small-scale traders from Cote d’Ivoire to share their experiences with those from other ECOWAS countries and also to reinforce cooperation between the member countries,” Coulibaly said.
He said small-scale traders’ sector constitutes one of the major components of social and economic development of the regional countries because of its capacity to supply essential goods and services to the population.
The Abidjan International Days for small-scale traders held last week brought together about 80 exhibitors from seven west African countries and the event attracted over 5,000 visitors.
Figures from the Cote d’Ivoire National Institute of Statistics showed the sector contributes 12 percent to the GDP and employs about a quarter of Cote d’Ivoire’s active population. (Xinhua)
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