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FCT unveils Abuja investment potential to Chinese delegation

By Anthony Otaru, Abuja
26 July 2017   |   4:07 am
The Minister Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello, has unveiled numerous agriculture and agro-processing investment opportunities in the nation’s Capital that could be tapped by investors.

Musa Bello, who highlighted the potential to a delegation from the Hebei Province, China, noted that the FCT is a fertile ground for foreign direct investment because of its strategic location, conducive atmosphere, tight security and attractive incentives.

The Minister Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammad Musa Bello, has unveiled numerous agriculture and agro-processing investment opportunities in the nation’s Capital that could be tapped by investors.

Bello, who highlighted the potential to a delegation from the Hebei Province, China, noted that the FCT is a fertile ground for foreign direct investment because of its strategic location, conducive atmosphere, tight security and attractive incentives.

He said: “The green fields in phases four and five of the Federal Capital Territory are very well suited for investment in agriculture and agro-processing, we have a centralised airport, and our railways would soon be fully developed in the next couple of years. Abuja is, therefore, a good place to set up factories for agricultural machinery and spare parts; these can be transported either by rail when it is ready, or by air through FCT cargo terminal.”

The Minister pleaded with the delegates to help in the development of local capacity, and making the city the investment hub of Nigeria. He revealed that he had arranged for a group of business men from the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (ABCCIMA), and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), to meet with the delegation to further consolidate on the discussions.

He expressed happiness with the Hebei Province Government plan to open an office in Abuja, and pledged to give them maximum support towards its successful take-off.

Responding, the Deputy Governor of the Province, and leader of the delegation, Wang Xiaodong, said Hebei is one of the biggest economic regions among the 31 provinces and municipalities in China.

According to him, Hebei has an area of 188,000sq km and 74million population with a GDP of $500million by its 2016 estimates, located in an area contiguous to Beijing, the Chinese capital, and is fully industrialised with a developed commuter transport system.

Xiaodong revealed that the Province also boasts of iron and steel potential estimated at 200million tones, thus a leading steel producer in the world, coupled with annual cement output of 120million tonnes, and flat glass output of about 100million tonnes.

“We have an advanced investment in agriculture. Production of fruits, cotton, meat, oil, milk and dairy production play very prominent roles in our economic life ranking us from the 2nd to the 5th in China respectively,” he added.

He also noted that “there are obviously many complementary features, potential and space for cooperation between Abuja and Hebei Province,” and its entrepreneurs are eager to partner with Abuja in many mutually beneficial areas.

File players like Zhao Dianlong, President of the Chinese Construction firm, CCECC, and Huang Xianghua, Deputy President of China Fortune Ltd.

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