Gombe State delegation, led by Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Magaji and his counterpart in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Nasiru Mohammed Aliyu mni, represented Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the maiden Africa Trade and Investment Summit organised by BusinessesDay Newspaper held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.
The event, themed, ‘Reimagining Economic Growth in Africa’, which drew participants from all over the world albeit in hybrid format, was declared open by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Shettima, who was represented by Dr.Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on Enabling Business Environment.
The Summit came just a day after Governor Inuwa Yahaya engaged diverse investors and stock brokers at the Nigeria Exchange ( NGX) where he marketed the investment potential of the State and also indicated interest to source 30 billion Naira Green Bonds to consolidate his various development projects especially the eco-friendly ones.
The Gombe officials engaged and networked with investors and development partners on the sideline of the summit to explore more business investment opportunities and partnerships.
Among the organizations they engaged in discussion, was the Dubai Chambers, with the Country representative, Irene Oyarekhua informing the Gombe delegates of her chamber’s upcoming events in Abuja and also indicating interest to partake in GoInvest2.0 taking place November this year.
Presentations were made by various participants across a broad spectrum of trade and investment issues.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole extrapolated on the disadvantaged position that Africa currently occupies in global world trade and called for an overhaul and upgrades of infrastructure as a panacea for driving more trade and investment traffic to the continent.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization presented a keynote address while Enoh T Ebong, Director of the U.S Trade Development Agency USDA reeled out the benefits that can be derived from her agency and at the same time intimated the summit of her agency’s engagement in Nigeria, Ivory Coast and South Africa.
The event was also attended by the Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi who used the occasion to promote the potentials of his state. Also in attendance were members of the diplomatic community from China, Germany, United Kingdom, Egypt Kenya, South korea among others.
The Gombe Commissioner of Finance noted that the Summit provided a new forum for consolidating Gombe’s position as the best investment destination in Nigeria, having won the Best in the Ease of Doing Business for two consecutive times.
Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director-General
( Press Affairs)
Government House
Gombe
