Ekiti seeks partnership with China in commercial agric

The Lunar Year celebration also featured discussion on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and production capacity cooperation between China and Nigeria. Egbeyemi spoke on business and economic opportunities available in Ekiti for potential Chinese investors and business community.

Egbeyemi listed areas Ekiti would need China’s support to include training and re-training of workers, mechanised and commercial agriculture, healthcare delivery, development of educational institutions and establishment of industries to absorb unemployed youths.

The forum was attended by Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Pingjan; Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki; the Director-General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Muda Yusuf, the Director-General of National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Ayoola Olukanmi, among others.

The deputy governor said the state has both human and inherent natural resources for the development and sustenance of capital investment in the State.Revealing the intention of the Fayemi-led administration on mechanised and commercial farming, Egbeyemi explained that Ekiti State was blessed with vast arable land and yet to be accessed natural resources that could boost the economy of the country if properly harnessed.

Egbeyemi sought the intervention of Chinese government in provision of vaccine for immunization and equipment for its hospital to enhance health services accessibility to the people especially those at the grassroots.

This, he said, would reduce infant mortality rate, morbidity and the spread of infectious diseases.The deputy governor charged the Chinese government who he claimed had benefitted from award of contracts from Ekiti State government to allow the people of the State feel its presence by establishing companies and investing in the economy of the State.

The Chinese envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Pingjian revealed that the initiative would focus on industrial promotion, infrastructural development, trade enhancement, green development, capacity building, healthcare, people-to-people exchange and security initiatives.