Following invitation by the State Government, we attended the Imo State Business summit on April 27, 2018, at the Imo State Trade and Investment Center in New Owerri. The event also served as the official launch of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Policy in the State. The policy outlines steps that the Imo State Government will take to ensure that private investment is used, where appropriate, to address the infrastructure deficit and improve public services in a sustainable way.
Chime Asonye, our Analysis and Advocacy Manager, gave a goodwill message and presentation where he highlighted areas of collaboration with the State and touched on our work in peace building and agricultural value chain interventions in cassava, oil palm, and aquaculture as well as the Business Linkages Program.
At the latter part of the summit, Chime formally presented the 2017 NDDF report and the Ondo State Investment Readiness Report to the Executive Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, who attended the summit with his entourage of commissioners, special advisors and assistants. Notably present were the Commissioners for Education, Health, Agriculture, Economic Planning, Land and Survey who will be key to the implementation of the PPP policy.
The NDDF report, a product of the forum which happened in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in 2017, is a culmination of a series of consultations, meetings, workshops and research studies, and interaction with stakeholders from the public and private sector, with the broader vision of aligning federal and regional strategic direction towards facilitating state-level development in the Niger Delta. The Ondo State Investment Readiness Report on the other hand is a research to gain deeper understanding of the political, economic and social dynamics of the State regarding its investment readiness. These reports showed working models and recommendations which could be adopted by Imo State to promote a sustainable business investment environment in the State.
PIND’s work facilitating partnerships for economic development and peace in the state was recognized and appreciated by the Governor.
[unitegallery ImoBusinessSummit]
