Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has officially declared open the 1st Abia-Turkiye investment Summit & Product Exhibition with the theme: “Bridging Continents, Unlocking Prosperity”.
The Summit which attracted investors and international delegates, is aimed at fostering mutual beneficial economic Partnerships and deepening bilateral trade and investments between Abia State, the Republic of Turkiye and Nigeria in general.
Governor Otti while declaring the 3day event open at the International Conference Center Umuahia, on Tuesday, in his speech titled “Prosperity Through Partnership”, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to attracting global partnerships and unlocking new economic opportunities.
The Governor said the summit represents a major step towards expanding Abia’s economic frontiers and positioning the State as an emerging destination for manufacturing, Agriculture, SME development and Industrial innovation.
He urged the Turkish investors to explore opportunities in Agriculture, Textile production as well as engage with local business owners to build partnerships that would strengthen Abia’s position in the global market.
“One thing you can be sure of is the steady support of the state government to make success of your ventures.
“You may wish to explore opportunities in manufacturing, retail value chains, logistics and transportation. You may also like to know that Abia has a specific set of advantages in fabrics and leather works.
“Do well to look in and identify suitable business ecosystems you can plug into. For consistently rewarding returns on investments, pay special attention to opportunities in Housing development, Manufacturing, Metal Fabrications and similar opportunities that the expanding economy of the city can support”, Governor Otti said.
The Governor highlighted Abia’s key competitive advantages, citing the availability of a skilled labour force, the emergence of more reliable energy supply in strategic parts of the State, as well as the strengthened security architecture and improvements in road infrastructure under his administration.
He maintained that these factors position Abia State as an attractive destination capable of hosting large-scale, sustainable investments.
Governor Otti who also highlighted the Abia Industrial Innovation Park (AIIP) in Ukwa LGA, explained that the project which sits on 2,000 hectares of land is designed as a major industrial cluster built to support manufacturing and energy-driven enterprises that offers investors an opportunity to tap into the region’s oil and gas potential.
He reaffirmed the State’s readiness for foreign partnerships, adding that his administration’s “investments in economic infrastructure are designed to create wealth, activate new front lines of opportunities, and put demand access to productive use”.
In his speech, the Commercial Councilor of the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria, Fatih Tonzogho, said Turkey is committed to strengthening global partnerships adding that the country’s engagement with Africa has been a deliberate and consistent state policy since its launch by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2003.
Tonzogho described Africa with over 1.5 billion people and a GDP exceeding 3.5 trillion USD as a continent for the future of global economic growth.
He called for sustained collaboration with Abia and expressed hope that the Abia–Turkiye summit would be a regular platform for expanding trade, assuring of Turkey’s continued participation in future editions.
The Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Mrs Salome Obiukwu, in her remarks described the Abia–Turkiye Investment Summit as a strategic move to deepen economic cooperation and attract global partnerships.
Mrs Obiukwu said the initiative underscores that Abia is open for business and innovation, noting Turkiye’s global strength in manufacturing, textiles, defence technologies and agro-processing.
The Commissioner also highlighted Abia’s status as Nigeria’s SME capital with strong capabilities in manufacturing, renewable energy, modular fabrication and agro-fashion processing.
She urged Turkish investors to take advantage of opportunities to build factories, establish joint ventures and open new trade routes and expressed confidence that the summit will drive job creation, innovation and economic transformation across the State.
Earlier in his welcome address, the SA to the Governor on Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnership, High Chief Green Amanze, commended Governor Otti for making deliberate reforms that had positioned Abia as investment ready and choice destination for local and foreign investors.
The Summit product exhibition which highlights the creativity and craftsmanship of ABA the commercial nerve center of the State, B2B matchmaking, Direct Engagement with investors, Strategic networking and collaborations among others.
