Business leaders, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders from across Abia State and beyond, recently gathered in Umuahia for a strategic engagement focused on advancing economic growth and aligning with the reform-oriented policies of the state government.
The forum, themed “Abia Business Roundtable: Where Vision Meets Enterprise,” provided a platform for robust dialogue between government officials and members of the private sector.
The event, held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, saw the State government reaffirming its commitment to sustaining business-friendly policies designed to enable enterprises to thrive.
Stakeholders at the gathering also commended the Governor of the State, Dr Alex Otti for the ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the state as an attractive destination for investment.
In her goodwill message, former Ambassador to Singapore, Ambassador Nonye Rajis Okpara, applauded the Governor for his passion and dedication to the development of Abia State.
She noted that the current reform initiatives have created new opportunities for partnerships with the global business community.
According to her, sustainable economic development requires strategic collaboration among government, investors, and the private sector, expressing optimism about facilitating linkages that could attract investments into critical sectors of the state’s economy.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Ifeanyi Ngwaeke, in a lecture titled “Climate Finance Management,” highlighted the growing importance of environmental responsibility in contemporary economic development.
He called for deliberate measures to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change, urging businesses to adopt sustainable practices that support long-term economic stability.
Ngwaeke noted that climate-friendly financing mechanisms are becoming increasingly important globally and encouraged businesses in Abia to position themselves to benefit from emerging climate finance opportunities.
Also speaking, the Founder of Bourdex Communications, Chief David Onuoha, commended the Abia State Government for creating a platform that enables direct engagement between policymakers and the business community.
Bourdex
He observed that recent reforms introduced by the government, including improvements in infrastructure and institutional restructuring, have sent encouraging signals to investors about the state’s commitment to strengthening its economic environment.
Onuoha explained that while entrepreneurs are generally willing to take risks, uncertainty within the business climate often discourages investment.
According to him, the present administration has taken deliberate steps to reduce such uncertainty through policy consistency and investments in infrastructure that support business growth.
“The government alone cannot drive economic development. When government initiates projects, the private sector expands and multiplies the impact through investment and innovation”, he said.
He, therefore, called for sustained collaboration between government and business leaders to fully unlock the economic potential of the state.
In his vote of thanks, High Chief Green Amakwe expressed appreciation to participants for their contributions and commended Ambassador Nonye Okpara for her efforts in attracting investors who could partner with Abia in advancing economic development.
Stakeholders at the roundtable expressed optimism that continued engagement between the government and the private sector would further strengthen the business climate and accelerate sustainable growth across the state.
In an interview, a prominent entrepreneur and business leader, Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha (Bourdex), urged investors across Nigeria and around the world to take a closer look at Abia State, noting that the state is increasingly emerging as a promising destination for investment and economic growth.
He said the high-level forum described as a strategic dialogue would strengthen collaboration between government and the private sector for sustainable economic development.
Cross section of UCCIMA members
Bourdex commended Governor Otti for initiating the important conversation between government and enterprise, emphasizing that the prosperity of any society depends largely on a strong partnership between the two sectors.
He added that when government provides the right environment and businesses unlock opportunities, industries expand and citizens prosper.
“The prosperity of any society rests on a simple but powerful partnership, government creating an enabling environment and businesses unlocking opportunities. When these two forces move in harmony, economies grow, industries flourish, and citizens prosper”.
The business leader emphasized that investors often watch closely for signals from governments before committing capital, noting that such signals include transparency, discipline, stability, and a clear policy direction, disclosing that recent developments in Abia indicate that the state is gradually sending positive signals to the investment community.
“Investors respond to signals, discipline, transparency, and consistency in leadership. The signals coming from Abia today are positive”, he said.
Bourdex cited improving infrastructure, better governance culture, and clear pro-business messaging as key indicators that the state is becoming increasingly attractive to investors.
UCCIMA President, Lady Catherine Igbokwe
Also, the President of Umuahia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (UCCIMA), Dr Catherine Igbokwe, expressed optimism that the dialogue would help accelerate economic reforms, boost industrial productivity, and create more employment opportunities across the state.
