Abia State Governor,Dr Alex Otti has expressed the state’s keen interest in foreign partnerships for economic growth and development of the state.
Governor Otti who stated this,on Thursday when he received the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Nigeria, Dr. Usra Hendra Harahap,announced plans for a collaborative venture between the government and the private sector to construct a new seaport in Ukwa East LGA of the state.
The Governor also requested support for establishment of an entrepreneurship and technology development center and assured the Ambassador of the state’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for investors.
“We have decided to build a sea port. Government will partner with the private sector to build a sea port in one of our local governments, Ukwa East, close to Ukwa-West where we have the oil and gas deposits.We have identified an area where we can build a sea port.
“If you do have skills and companies that can assist us, we will be very, very interested in working with them.
“I want to reassure you that we are a very serious-minded government in Abia, here. We have opened the state up for business. Your nationals that want to, not just support but also make money out of trade, industry, commerce, technology,we will give them all the necessary support to set up their businesses.
“We will also give them security and provide enabling environment for their businesses to grow”, the Governor declared.
Governor Otti further emphasized Abia’s willingness to collaborate with Indonesia in areas such as Education, Agriculture, Health, SMEs, Entrepreneurship and Technology.
He thanked the Ambassador for identifying Abia State as a worthy partner as well as carrying out an independent assessment on the state’s potential and expressed optimism that the collaboration would be fruitful.
Speaking earlier, Ambassador Harahap, who was accompanied by his wife, Neny Harahap said that his visit was to demonstrate his country’s “sincere commitment to fostering diplomatic cooperation” with Nigeria and “with the great state of Abia”.
He said: “Our visit today signifies Indonesia’s keen interest in establishing meaningful partnerships in crucial sectors namely: Trade, Investment, Agriculture, Education, Technology, Construction and Works, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, as well as Entrepreneurship”.
According to him, those sectors hold the key to unlocking shared economic prosperity and creating opportunities for the people of Indonesia and Abia State.
In the area of education, the Ambassador stated that Indonesia is pleased to offer scholarship opportunities to bright and ambitious students from Abia State, adding that, “There will be financial assistance offered by our government to pursue Doctoral, Masters and Under-graduate Degree in one of the Indonesian Universities.
