The prospects of German investors putting their money in Abia State has brightened following discussions Thursday between Governor Alex Otti and the Republic of Germany’s Consul General to Nigeria, Mr. Weert Borner.
Borner was at the head of a delegation that visited the Abia Governor, during which the Consul General expressed strong interest in fostering economic collaboration between German companies and Abia State.
He said that the Abia Governor’s commitment to good governance was a key factor in attracting foreign investments.
The Consul General stated that German companies offer high-quality products and expertise across multiple sectors, hence they present significant opportunities for economic growth in Abia.
He informed the Abia Chief Executive that German firms were specially interested in investing in agriculture, environmental sustainability, health, waste management, energy, vocational training, and digital transformation.
Borner explained that in the agriculture sector, German companies are exploring investments in machinery, renewable energy applications, and modern farming techniques to boost productivity.
He further stated that in the environmental sector, they would be looking at opportunities in recycling and the green industry, adding that chemical recycling innovations being pioneered by Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor (BASF) in Lagos could be expanded to other states, including Abia.
Mr. Borner said that BASF has been a key player in the fight against malaria through its production of coated mosquito nets. He hinted at the possibility of Abia hosting a BASF factory for the production of Treated Mosquito Net.
According to him, the company is presently seeking for a location in Nigeria to site the factory, which could generate jobs and boost the local economy.
The German Consul General, who came in the company of his wife, had earlier visited the commercial city of Aba where he interacted with the business community and visited some ailing industries.
Governor Otti had, after receiving his visitors, told them that there was no better place than Abia for investors to put their money, given the ongoing reforms and improvements in infrastructure thereby creating a favourable environment for investments.
He invited investors to Abia, saying that the time was ripe to explore the opportunities that abound in the state in such areas as manufacturing, waste recycling, SME development, and agro-processing.
“There is no better place for those SMEs than Aba. And they can bring in a whole lot in terms of leather, textiles, fashion, (among others),” he said.
The Abia Governor said that the state was prepared to do business, saying, “we are ready to support investors by providing land, infrastructure, and policy backing to ensure their success”.
“Our approach is based on partnerships, not dependency on grants. We bring our value to the table, and our investors bring theirs, creating a larger shared value,” he added.
The Governor assured the German delegation of the commitment of his administration to fostering strategic partnerships that would drive industrial and economic development in the state.
“My team and I will maintain close contact with you, and whenever companies seek a new location, we encourage you to direct them our way,” Otti said.
He directed the Commissioner for Lands and Housing to make land available for the establishment of Treated Mosquito Net factory to resolve the location challenge facing the company already willing to invest in Abia.
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo
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