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States target economic boost through bilateral trade relations

By Kingsley Jeremiah
18 April 2017   |   4:31 am
The economic challenges confronting state governments in the country may witness drastic reduction if the current efforts of the Nigeria Governors’ Investment Forum, to foster transnational investments, particularly between Nigeria and China are sustained.

Cai Chaolin

The economic challenges confronting state governments in the country may witness drastic reduction if the current efforts of the Nigeria Governors’ Investment Forum, to foster transnational investments, particularly between Nigeria and China are sustained.

Speaking at the first edition of the event, which was held in Guangzhou, China, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, Cai Chaolin, said Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy, and Guangdong are highly complementary to each other in areas like manufacturing, agriculture, cultural exchanges and infrastructure development.
    
Chaolin noted that there are vast potential for cooperation between the two countries, saying: “The Guangzhou Municipal Government has always attached great importance to all-round cooperation with Nigeria.

   
“We believe this forum will be a great opportunity for China and Nigeria to further their long-standing friendship, and construct a new bridge for investment activities between the two nations.”
    
Chaolin was optimistic the Chinese automobile maker headquartered in Guangzhou, a subsidiary of Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group, GAC Motors would boost Nigeria’s economy through the national automotive policy.
    
“With the GAC Group as a leading investment enterprise, we are speeding up the development of our overseas marketing and service system, and taking internationalisation as a key development strategy,” he said.
   
He hopes that in the future, more high-quality Chinese enterprises such as GAC Group would bring better products and services to Nigeria, to further bilateral trade between the countries.
    
About nine states governors including the Zamfara, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari; Abia, Okezie Ikpeazu; and Benue, Samuel Ortom, attended the event.The forum was witnessed by the Consul-General, Nigerian Consulate-General in Guangzhou, Oloko Shakirudeen Adewale; Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, Cai Chaolin; President of GAC Group, Zeng Qinghong; General Manager, GAC Motor, Yu Jun; and other officials and representatives of the business community.

Speaking on behalf of the colleagues, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, stressed the need to scale up the establishment of small scale industries for paper conversion, leather and plastic footwear, manufacturing and boost agriculture in the state.

Ortom said the state is fertile and conducive for the establishment of agro allied industries such as flour processing, meat canning, juice extraction from medium scale to large scale as well as the manufacturing of glass and electric bulbs due to the availability of feldspar and wolframite.
       
President of GAC Group, Zeng Qinghong, delivering a speech titled “GAC’s global planning with sustainable development as the basis and the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative as the driver,” said: “GAC Group’s private brand GAC Motor has developed stable sales channels in Nigeria and achieved outstanding sales records. GAC Motor’s entry into the local market has brought consumers greater ride experience and higher quality of life.

“With automobiles as a bridge, GAC Motor has not only benefitted Nigeria with high-quality products and services, but has also brought management expertise and technologies there, thus increasing employment and enabling resource integration, technological innovation and sustainable development.”

Participants from the two countries had in-depth discussions and case sharing on the theme of the forum, “sustainable cities and livelihood”.GAC Motor GA8 and GS8, which were designated as the official vehicles for the forum, greatly impressed the delegates with their luxurious and comfortable ride experience, original design, exquisite craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technologies.

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