About Us
Who We Are
The Ministry of Trade and Commerce is dedicated to driving economic growth and development in Abia State by fostering a vibrant commercial environment. We focus on creating policies that attract investments, promote trade, and support local businesses. Our responsibilities include overseeing market development, regulating business premises, organizing trade fairs, and ensuring the quality of agricultural produce for both local and international markets. By collaborating with stakeholders and investors, we aim to build a thriving economy that benefits all residents of Abia State.
Our Services
Our Mandate
The Ministry of Trade and Commerce is committed to formulating and implementing policies that promote trade, investment, and economic development in Abia State. We are tasked with developing state and regional markets, attracting investors, supporting local businesses, and ensuring the effective regulation of commercial activities. Our mandate includes organizing trade fairs, supervising market operations, and fostering partnerships that drive sustainable growth.
Vision
To attract and harness commercial and investment opportunities that support the Abia State and Private Sector Economic driven policies and provision, and enabling environment for business to thrive.
Mission
Creation of an enabling environment for economic growth and development of commercial Trade and Investment platforms that will revamp economy of the State.
Our Leadership
The leadership of the Abia State Ministry of Information is driven by a team of dedicated professionals committed to fostering transparency, trust, and effective communication between the government and its people.
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Honourable Commissioner
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Permanent Secretary
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Connect with Us Today!
Have questions or need assistance? The Ministry of Trade and Commerce is here to help. Whether you're looking for information, seeking investment opportunities, or need guidance on trade policies, our team is ready to support you. Let's work together to drive commerce and unlock new possibilities for your business.
More About Us
The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has consistently demonstrated its commitment to fostering growth, sustainability, and development in the petroleum and mineral sectors. Through innovative policies, community engagement, and impactful projects, we have achieved remarkable milestones that reflect our dedication to excellence.
Departments
- Commerce Department
- Produce Department
- Investment Department
- Administration Department
- Planning Department
- Finance Department
Our Duties
- Formulation of Commercial and Investment Policies of the State
- Development of State and Regional Markets.
- Promotion of trading activities/sourcing of Investors to the State.
- Development of shopping centers/malls
- Supervision of chambers of commerce, consumer Protection Agency, monitoring and evaluation of Government owned investments.
Function of Departments
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
The Finance Department in the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, like in any other Ministry is saddled with the responsibilities of safe-guarding and safe-keeping all financial assets and liabilities of government that are maintained in the ministry and ensuring efficient pay rolling of staff for salaries and entitlement. We have five (5) units in Finance Department namely: The Cash office and Reconciliation, Pay roll, Other charges/capital expenditures, Revenue and Internal Audit.
PLANNING RESEARCH AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT
Planning, Research and statistics department is saddled with planning of all the ministries activities e.g. Production of Ministries work-plan, procurement plan, they serve as a secretarial of the Ministries tender board, coordination of bilateral matters of the Ministry with developmental agencies partners in collaboration with Abia State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. They also conduct research on Trade and Commerce policies and program as well as budget plan for the Ministry. The Planning department has four (4) units via: (i) Budget & Planning (ii) Research & Library (iii) Statistics & Data (iv) Monitoring & Evaluation (M & E).
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
The Administration Department is a service Department which is charged with the responsibility of all personnel and administrative matters of the Ministry.
The Department has following units (a) General Services (b) Secret Unit (c) Open Registry (d) Transport and (e) Store Unit.
INVESTMENT DEPARTMENT
Investment Department is saddled with creation promotion and maintenance of business and investment in the State, through initiative negotiation, insuring and signing, reactivation of investment promotion as well as protecting agreements on behalf of the State. Furthermore, attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) into the State with other Sister Agencies like Bank of Industry, SMEDEN etc. The Investment Department Monitor and advice existing and potential investors seeking to invest in the state and business investment information and advisory services as well as development of investment proposals and feasibilities study. Investment Policy Unit, Investment Promotion Unit, Investment and Advisory Services Unit. FDI AND DDI Units.
PRODUCE DEPARTMENT
The Produce Department is primarily charged with the responsibility of enforcing and maintaining the quality standards of scheduled agricultural produce through the process of inspecting and grading of such produce for the purpose of export, local processing, inter-state trade and internal trade generally and the generation of revenue through inspection, fumigation, registration and license fees. Thus, the rendition of the duties of inspection of produce and ancillary but associated services makes the produce Department an important revenue generating arm of the Abia State Government. The department has an edict that guides its operation known as Abia State produce inspection and sales tax law 2004, serving as Central Bank office for statistics of tonnage of produce e.g. Cocoa, PK, Palm Oil etc produced and graded in the state. The pest control unit controls the pest in produce stores and residential building in the state.
The produce department has a school were newly employed technical staff are trained and retrained as well as seminars for Merchants and farmers. The produce check post on the roads are used in checking the activities of smugglers and ensure every produce living the state is inspected and graded appropriately.
COMMERCE DEPARTMENT
The Commerce Department is a key professional and technical unit within the Ministry of Trade and Commerce. Beyond its headquarters operations, the department maintains five (5) Zonal offices strategically located in Aba, Osisioma, Umuahia, Ukwa, and Ohafia. Each zonal office is led by a highly experienced senior commercial or trade officer, ensuring localized management and effective service delivery. Staff members are deployed to these zonal offices to implement departmental functions in their respective areas.
The department plays a pivotal role in managing state government-owned markets, which include:
- Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Aba
- Ariaria International Market, Aba
- Ochendo Shoes and Bags Parts Industrial Market, Aba
- Ngwa Road Market, Aba
- Ubani Ultra-Modern Market, Umuahia
- Umuahia Industrial Market, Azueke-Ndume Umuahia
- Ohiya Motor Spare Part Market, Umuahia
- Umuchieze Cattle Market
- Uratta Cattle Market, Aba
Additionally, the department oversees Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, promotes exports, and handles the Registration of Business Premises. It also champions Consumer Protection, Price Intelligence, and Statistics. The department actively engages with Trade/Market Associations, including ASMATA, manages Chambers of Commerce matters, provides trade information and advisory services, and supports market development. Supervision of state-owned hotels such as Abia hotels in Aba and Umuahia, and oversight of government commercial projects, are integral to its operations. Furthermore, it promotes local products and handcrafts, and liaises with federal government and international agencies on domestic and foreign trade matters. The department is also involved in national trade and investment councils, collaborating with bodies such as NEPC, NSC, and CPC.