ABIA – Governor Alex Otti, has officially declared open the 1st Abia-Turkiye investment Summit & Product Exhibition, an exercise towards fostering mutual economic Partnerships between Abia State, the Republic of Turkiye and Nigeria in general.
The Governor while declaring the 3-day event open at the International Conference Center Umuahia, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to attracting global partnerships and unlocking new economic opportunities.
Governor Otti who titled his speech; “Prosperity Through Partnership,” said the summit represents a major step towards expanding Abia’s economic frontiers and positioning the State as an emerging destination for manufacturing, Agriculture, SME development and Industrial innovation.
He urged the Turkish investors to explore opportunities in Agriculture, Textile production as well as engage with local business owners to build partnerships that would strengthen Abia’s position in the international market.
The state Chief Executive while highlighting Abia’s key competitive advantages, cited the availability of a skilled labour force, the emergence of more reliable energy supply in strategic parts of the State, as well as the strengthened security architecture and improvements in road infrastructure under his administration.
In his speech, the Commercial Councilor of the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria, Fatih Tonzogho, while noting that Turkey is committed to strengthening global partnerships, said that the country’s engagement with Africa has been a deliberate and consistent policy since its launch by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2003.
He made a case for sustained collaboration with Abia state and expressed hope that the Abia-Turkiye summit would be a regular platform for expanding trade, assuring of Turkey’s continued participation in future editions.
In an address, the state Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Mrs Salome Obiukwu, described the Abia-Turkiye Investment Summit as a strategic step towards deepening economic cooperation and attracting global partnerships.
She said that the initiative speaks volumes of Abia’s openness to business and innovation and acknowledged Turkiye’s global strength in the areas of manufacturing, textiles, defence technologies and agro-processing.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnership, Chief Green Amakwe, commended Governor Otti for his intentional reforms that has positioned Abia as an investment ready and choice destination for local and international investors.
The Summit with the theme: “Bridging Continents, Unlocking Prosperity”, which attracted investors and international delegates, featured products exhibition which also highlights the creativity and craftsmanship of Aba the commercial hub of the state.
