Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti said on Wednesday that investors and partners seeking his government’s patronage must brace up to bring economic value addition capable of transforming lives in the state.
Governor Otti stated this when he received a delegation of the Haier Global Business, led by its Director of Africa, Mr. Sunny Liu.
The Governor noted that his government is open for business as it is a government of partnerships.
“Our government is a government of partnerships. In the last 22 months, we have engaged with the private sector like you on the basis of a public-private partnership.
“Our partnership is not about patronizing you, but it is about having you set up a manufacturing base here. I can see you manufacture tractors, you get involved in agriculture, you get involved in electronics, just name it. We have a very strong market here and that is also another attraction,” he added.
The Governor also assured Haier Global Business of his support if it would set up its investment in Abia State.
He said that the government’s team would engage with the company to get details of how the state and the company could partner.
According to him “If the company produces here, it would make business easy for Abia residents and add to the economic development of Abia State. I am sure you know about Aba. If you get into Aba, there is no way you will not see a chunk of your products.
“They do travel to other places to get them. So, if you were manufacturing around here, then it reduces the prices by cutting out logistics costs.
“For us, what is most important is that jobs are created. When you are producing here, you are also increasing the economic base of the state in terms of GDP and even IGR. My team would engage with you so that we can begin to narrow down what it is that you require us to do and we will approach these things very quickly,” Governor said.
Director Africa of Haier Global Business, Sunny Liu in his remarks explained that they came for possible collaborations with the Abia state government.
He said that the organisation is a leading service provider of a better life and digital solutions and was interested in partnering with the state areas such as education, energy, and agriculture, adding that the areas of interest are not limited to these three.
Haier Global Representative, Mr. Uche Chime who also spoke said that the company was interested in partnering with the governor in developing the state, and said that they are setting up an assembling plant in Enugu.
He said that they are also looking at having conversations with the Governor to see how to have a manufacturing base in Abia State and would be glad to have such discussions with the state government.
