Governor Alex Otti has launched the Abia Global Economic Advisory Council, a body tasked with developing strategies to leverage and promote the state’s competitive edge.
At the inauguration ceremony on Thursday at the Government House, Umuahia, Otti said that the council’s composition reflects the state’s vision.
The governor said that this initiative had shown potential investors that “Abia is poised to become the next big thing.”
Mr Otti said the government wanted to make Abia an attractive place for global businesses to invest, so it established a council of brilliant minds that would collaborate with the government to make the vision a reality.
He also said the council would partner with the government and other local actors, such as the local chambers of commerce, industry, mines and agriculture, to highlight these opportunities to the global investing community.
He was confident that this council could help the government realise its vision in the next 24 months.
Mr Otti said, “We are not just seeking to attract a few big manufacturing outfits in the state to score cheap political points. Our ultimate goal is to re-make the entire state into a robust enterprise ecosystem with clear pathways to bigger global and regional markets.
“We are keen to transform our traditional agro-economy to become a major player in the global agricultural value chain, producing sufficient output to feed the local population and then for export.
“In Aba, we do not just make quality footwear and clothing. Given the right support, our shoemakers and fashion designers can compete with the best anywhere in the world.”
The governor added, “Aba is also very strong on metal fabrication, wood works and mechanical construction. Sadly, the immense potential of our people has stayed hidden and under-utilised for far too long.
“The good thing is that we now have an effective machinery to create a new era of prosperity, employment and layers of opportunities for these resilient and creative individuals.”
(NAN)