Abia Govt. to Convene Business Roundtable to Drive Investment Growth
The Abia government says plans are underway to hold a roundtable to create a platform for the state to engage the business community.
Mr. Chinedum Chijioke, Director-General, Abia Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office, disclosed this during a news conference on Friday in Umuahia.
Chijioke noted that the meeting tagged “Abia Business Roundtable”, had been scheduled to hold on Thursday and would be presided over by Gov. Alex Otti of Abia.
He further described the meeting as a platform for the business community and the government to collaborate on and address common issues.
“As you may be aware, across the globe, in developing economies or in developed economies, or in economies that are doing well, the private sector drives the economy.
“What the government does is to provide an enabling environment for the private sector to be able to drive the economy.
“Of course, in doing that, you have to create a platform where you engage the business community to exchange ideas and address challenges,” Chijioke said.
He stated that the occasion would provide the business community with an opportunity to help shape government policies affecting business.
According to him, key business leaders from across the country are expected to be at the event.
Chijioke also said the programme had been designed to strengthen collaboration between the government and the private sector, to improve the state’s business climate.
He said the engagement would accommodate businesses across various categories, including Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs).
The DG noted that leaders of market associations and other organised private sector groups had also been invited to ensure broad representation of active economic players in Abia.
He explained that the initiative was part of his office’s mandate, which focused on investment promotion, facilitation, aftercare, and advocacy.
Chijioke described the roundtable as an aftercare and advocacy platform designed to provide investors with the opportunity to present their challenges and contribute to policies that would enhance economic development.
He reaffirmed the office’s commitment to due process in investment partnerships, particularly in land acquisition and project approvals.
According to him, all agreements are being carefully structured to ensure transparency, fairness and sustainability.
Chijioke added that several projects already approved in principle were undergoing documentation and regulatory processes, with visible progress expected before the end of the year.
In his speech, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, said the roundtable would provide a platform for investors to articulate their needs.
Kanu also noted that the state government would, during the meeting, outline existing incentives and support mechanisms to stimulate business growth in Abia.
He described the meeting as a fertile ground for constructive engagement and exchange of ideas, which would promote enterprise and attract investments to the state
