Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at the weekend received envoys from the United States of America, Britain and Australia on courtesy visits, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthen trade relations with their countries. The Governor, who received the trio separately in his office in Alausa, Ikeja, said that paramount on his administration’s agenda, is to strengthen existing trade relations with countries willing to do business in the state as well as attract new investors.
To this end, he said an Office of the Overseas Affairs and Investment has been established, whose primary assignment will be to relate with foreign investors and attract new businesses into the state.
“I want you to also recognise the fact that we are building a safer Lagos, we want to do everything as much as possible to make Lagos a more comfortable place for everyone to live in, that’s the only way we can attract investments into Lagos” he said .
He spoke further,“I believe strongly that in strengthening that relationship, I decided that we would set up a new office here, the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investments, that will directly deal with our investors and business interests that we have”.
“I also believe that in doing that, we cannot do it alone, so we expect that we would be seeking some kind of expertise from those who are knowledgeable in areas”, the Governor said.
He said his administration is poised to strengthen economic ties with their countries, urging them to feel free to offer any useful suggestions that would make investors willing to set up their investment in the state.
He listed energy, power and energy as well as oil and gas sectors as possible strong areas where such bi-lateral relations could be strengthened, assuring that the state is safe, conducive and investor-friendly to accommodate more investors in the state.
“All these put together, the main objective for us is to be able to build on the economy of Lagos and increase the GDP of Lagos as a state, create more jobs for our people and we would be able to make life more comfortable for them”.
Earlier, the Acting Consular General, United States of America, Mrs. Rehab Ghebreab, expressed the willingness of her country to partner and provide assistance to the Lagos State Government and said that US is interested in Lagos as it is the economic hub and capital of Nigeria as well as West Africa.
She said investors from her country are ready to register their presence and provide assistance in Lagos as well as partner the state government on infrastructural development.
“Lagos is a very important state and we’re here to help you in any way you would want us to provide assistance so that you succeed in the important work that you’re doing”.
“The US-Nigeria relationship is very strong and it was demonstrated by the recent visit of President Buhari to Washington and it’s a lot of interest in expanding our trade, actually we have several delegations that would be coming in September”, she said.
On his part, Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Ray Kyles, re-assured of sustaining the partnership of the two countries towards making robust achievement at transforming the lives of residents of the state.
For the Australian High Commissioner, Ambassador Jonathan Richardson, investors from Australia are willing to partner the state in areas such as transportation, power and energy.
Credit: cknnigeria.com
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