By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has assured global investors willing to set up shop in the state that they will be availed with all the necessary information and investment friendly arena to do so.
The release by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Muhammad Bello also said Governor Tambuwal stated this during the week in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was represented by the Managing Director of the state-owned investment company, Mallam Muhammadu Buhari Dasuki.
Sokoto state government was among the few states invited by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to its Conference for Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) region.
According to Tambuwal, the theme of the 26th World Investment Conference 2022 of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA): “IPAs shaping the future of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” is apt and also reflects the state’s quest for diverse global investors.
“We have already set a standard for interface with global investors who want to partner with us. Two years ago one such partnership with OCP Morocco led to the takeoff of of the construction of a $13 million fertilizer plant, which is nearing completion in the state capital, Sokoto.
“We have also blazed the trail within Nigeria of being second best in terms of the ease of doing business? coupled with a profile of being one of the two least indebted states in the country.
“We have also, in collaboration with the Federal Government, set up a One Stop Shop for businesses in the state, where all that is required to make businesses thrive and prosper are domiciled,” Dasuki said.
He expressed delight with the launch of the ‘Invest-in-ACP’ Platform, a cloud-based, digital outlet unveiled by UNIDO at the conference in the framework of supporting ACP business-friendly value chains through inclusive policies, investment promotion and alliances.
The programme, funded by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), according to UNIDO “provides valuable and dynamic information on investment project opportunities, ACP country and regional level institutional partners.”
“The Platform,” a UNIDO statement said, “also houses information related to value chains, sectoral data, and information on industrial park sites and its related authorities.”
In his welcome remarks at the event, the Executive Director of WAIPA, Ismail Ersahin, said: “Given the ever-increasing importance of IPAs, these knowledge-sharing events are critical, as they play an essential role in equipping IPAs with recent best practices and opportunities for ensuring steady flows of sustainable FDIs. I am hence delighted that the 26th WAIPA WIC also marks the official launch of UNIDO’s cloud-based, digital Invest-in-ACP Platform and we look forward to reaching even greater heights with our sustained collaboration.”
Other speakers echoed Ersahin’s views. They described the Invest-in-ACP platform as a user-friendly one that would provide key targeted information about projects looking for investments and create links to the financial community,” while helping “SMEs by driving investments and supporting DFIs”.
Others see it as a tool of economic prosperity that is inclusive in its global outreach to drive investments and wealth to achieve peace and prosperity for people.
“We believe that the Invest-in-ACP Platform will bring a fundamental change in how ACP IPAs promote investment opportunities in their countries.” said Bernardo Calzadilla-Sarmiento, UNIDO Director Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade.
“This initiative is not only important for the attraction of FDI but serves to enhance the social and environmental impact of existing investors established in ACP countries,” Calzadilla-Sarmiento added.
