Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships with investors, emphasizing that such collaborations are aimed at economic growth rather than mere patronage of companies.
Governor Otti made this known on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Haier Global Business, led by its Director for Africa, Mr. Sunny Liu, at the Government House, Umuahia.
He urged the multinational company to invest in Abia State, assuring them of the government’s readiness to support businesses that contribute to the state’s economic development.
“Our Government is one of partnerships. In the last 22 months, we have engaged the private sector on the basis of public-private partnership,” the Governor stated.
He highlighted Abia’s strong market potential, particularly in Aba, a commercial hub renowned for trade and manufacturing. According to him, setting up a manufacturing base in the state would reduce logistics costs, lower product prices, create jobs, and boost the state’s economy.
“If you manufacture here, it makes business easier for our residents. People travel to other places to buy your products, but if they are produced locally, it cuts logistics costs and increases our GDP and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),” Otti added.
He directed his government’s team to engage with Haier Global to explore areas of partnership and fast-track necessary processes.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Sunny Liu revealed that Haier Global is interested in collaborating with the Abia State Government in key sectors such as education, energy, and agriculture.
His colleague, Mr. Uche Chime, noted that the company is already setting up an assembly plant in Enugu and is keen on discussing the possibility of establishing a manufacturing base in Abia.
Haier Global also expressed interest in supporting the state’s smart school initiative by supplying solar systems, IT equipment, indoor classrooms, and e-classroom solutions.