Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA has said that it wants each of the 23 local governments in Kaduna state to leverage its comparative advantage, by developing a primary produce, craft or service down the value chain.
The Executive Secretary of KADIPA, Malam Khalil Nur Khalil disclosed that the ‘one product per local government’ initiative was mooted by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe who chairs the Board of KADIPA.
Khalil pointed out that the initiative will create jobs, increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and improve the local economies of the local governments.
The Executive Secretary thanked Dr Balarabe for the initiative, adding that this is what is called ‘’the Asian Model and it is adding value to the Asian countries’ economies.’’
According to him, KADIPA will partner with each local government to identify an agricultural produce or mineral deposit, craft and service that it is endowed with and ‘’government will help it develop it, by building the council’s capacity and removing encumbrances that stand against adding value to the product or craft.
‘’We will do a value chain analysis to see the challenges that each local government is facing towards developing the product. If it is a policy issue, the state government will collaborate with the House of Assembly to pass relevant laws.
‘’If the challenge has to do with financing, we will invite investors to carry out their studies and due diligence before investing. However, where they are not ready to invest and we see the viability of the product, the state government may put in funds,’’ he explained.
Malam Khalil further said that KADIPA will link the local governments with markets, financiers and off takers.
‘’We will encourage them to hold their own investment summits to market their products and even showcase their potentials so as to attract investors. The state government will also help where it is necessary,’’ he added.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that KADIPA is working on the blueprint of the ‘’one product per local government’’ initiative, adding that the management will submit the document to the Board afterwards.
