- Reiterates UK’s commitment to boost economic growth, job creation, and build stronger trade and investment links.
Mr Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, was in Enugu State on Friday to attend the inaugural edition of the State’s Investment and Economic Growth Stakeholder Roundtable, hosted by Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor.
The stakeholder roundtable was an opportunity for high-level discussions on how to advance viable investment, boost trade and create more economic opportunities in Enugu State.
Delivering the opening remarks and highlighting the UK’s new trade scheme, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter said:
“My thanks to the Enugu State Government for putting together this timely gathering, which I hope will deepen investment and trade in the state. The UK wants to encourage UK companies to invest into the region. Building a stronger and more conducive business environments is crucial to this, and we look forward to working with the Enugu state government to do so.
“The UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme harnesses the power of trade to help Nigeria, including Enugu State achieve its private sector-led economic transformation agenda.
“The UK is keen to maximise uptake of the DCTS. Crops such as cashew and plantain predominantly farmed in Enugu and other south eastern states, could be among the products exported to the UK based on market demand in both Nigeria and the UK.”
The Enugu State Investment Roundtable was attended by development partners, senior-level executives from public and private sector, and other domestic financial institutions.
Recall that the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, was in Enugu State between June 27 and 28 of June for high-level discussions with the state governor, key stakeholders, civil society, business and traditional leaders, in the state on how to attract investment, boost trade and create more economic opportunities.
The UK through the Department for Business and Trade is positioned to provide access to UK expertise and investment partners across priority sectors of the state.
Earlier at the Investment Roundtable, the Governor, said he was thrilled by the prospects of investment opportunities in the projects which have the potential to improve the lives of Enugu residents through industrialisation, employment and infrastructural development.
“This step is in line with my vision to see Enugu State transition from public to private investment-led growth, to create job opportunities, give our state a face-lift and grow our economy from its current state of $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
Governor Mbah shared his vision for Enugu State and reeled out the Integrated Sector-Based Productivity Growth Strategy, which underscores the blueprint to achieving our 30-billion-dollar GDP growth target. This will accelerate economic growth and ensure sustainable prosperity.
“A pipeline of 30 potential project opportunities with an estimated investment value of more than 2.1 billion dollars was presented, and I’m hopeful that these transformative projects will affect and improve the quality of life and standard of living for Ndi Enugu.
“The projects in our pipeline range from specialist geriatric, paediatric, and maternal care hospitals to natural gas-to-power plants and renewable energy parks to meet our state’s 690 megawatts base load requirement and ensure the sustainability of the energy sector.
“We welcomed various investors from the private sector and listened to their contribution towards growing the Enugu economy and was taken by their willingness to invest in our state. We shall address the bottlenecks identified to ensure the ease of doing business.
“While we look forward to our Summit next year, I invite our people in the Diaspora to confidently invest in Enugu State because we are open for business”, he said.
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