Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has said that private sector investments are critical and would remain central to the economic development of the state.
Ikpeazu stated this when a delegation of the new executive committee of Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA) paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Lodge in Aba at the weekend.
He expressed delight with the chamber’s arrangements for the return of the Aba Trade Fair which has long been on hold at the end of the year, assuring them of the commitment of the government to its success.
“We’re encouraged by your moves to revive the fair which used to attract huge participation. We are committed to the promotion of trade and commerce as veritable enablers for the economic development of the state,” he said.
According to him, the emergence of Chief Jerry Kalu as the president of the chamber could not have been more auspicious than now when experienced entrepreneurs were needed to drive the sector.
He appealed to them to leverage on the position of Ide John Udeagbala as the president of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and an Aba-based business man to attract investors to develop the economy of the state.
Earlier, the ACCIMA president said they came to introduce themselves to the governor and to solicit the partnership of the government in their preparations for the fair which is scheduled for later in the year.