Date: 2009-06-25

As the on-going Business and Investment Forum in The Hague entered the third-day, Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki has disclosed that the State delegation held successful talks with investors in the areas of Dairy, Meat Processing and Agriculture.

Similarly, Dr Saraki said discussions were also held with investors on the various opportunities that abound in the State, especially in the area of cement production.

According to him, "what the people are leaving here with is that the government and people of Kwara State are serious minded and if anybody wants to invest in Nigeria , kwara is the right place."

The Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum further explained that running a government now is like marketing, you keep knocking at the doors and when the companies and investors seat back and say where would they invest, they will make Nigeria and Kwara State in particular their first place of choice.

On the recent AA FITCH rating for the State, Governor Saraki said "it was a recognition that the Government of Kwara State is maintaining a high standard of governance, transparency, and accountability, adding "what Fitch rating is saying is that Kwara is a place where people can do business. This is the only State that has been rated by FITCH for the second time running".

The implication of this, he said, is that we are doing something right as a government; it means we are sending the right message to the investors all over the world.

From investors at the venue of the Business and Investment Forum, strong indication also emerged that kwara State Investment and Business profile has received a boost as would-be investors besieged the location of the State delegation for possible networking to hold talks on their business and investment opportunities with the State.

The would-be investors especially in the Agricultural Sector with specific interest in dairy production, meat processing and cement production were among those that have indicated willingness to invest in the State.

Speaking with newsmen, one of the investors, Givaudan has this to say: "We are motivated in doing business in Nigeria and indeed Kwara State because Your governor’s brilliant presentation at the summit and the recent Fitch rating for the second time running in less than two years confirmed the suitability of the State as a conducive environment where investment will flourish."

Delegates from the participating States in Nigeria all commended the initiative of the Nigerian Ambassador to the Royal Kingdom of Netherlands, Dr (Mrs) Nimota Akanbi for making the country and indeed Kwara State proud.
 

Mas’ud Adebimpe

Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor

25/06/09