*The project will enhance growth in export sub-sector – Says Mr. Chinedu Ukatu
(Written by Silas Onuoha);
Senator Ayim Prius Ayim
The Former Senate President, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, has applauded Akuluouno international traders for their commitments in promoting huge investments in the Eastern region of the country, through the development of a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), in Enugu State.
Senator Ayim, also ex-Secretary to the Federal Government, described the project as a welcome development. He expressed optimism that the project will rejuvenate the economy of South/East region and Nigeria at large.
Speaking further, Senator Ayim advised on the need to invest tangibly in the zone, as the project is still on-going. He called on entrepreneurs and companies to invest in the project.
He enthused: “This project is very unique and one of a kind. I am proud of Akuluouno international traders and Lion Business Park, the promoters of this huge investment in the East.
I am proud to identify with this project also”.
According to him, the Chairman of Lion Business Park, Dr Okechukwu Mbonu, has wealth of experience and the ingenuity to make the Zone largest industrial hub in the entire West African sub-region.
In his remarks, the Secretary of Akuluouno international traders, serving in Lagos Advisory Council, Mr Chinedu Ukatu, said the project will promote import and export trades not only in the South East, but the whole country.
His words: “Apart from stimulating growth in export sub-sector, the project will create jobs for Nigerians. Here, we are talking of trade, import and export, so it will create jobs not only for people in South/East, but the whole Nigeria.”
Dr Mbonu, in his welcome address, explained that the
project is a public-private partnership initiative conceived by promoters of the Park, in collaboration with Enugu State government, to facilitate development of industrial hub with state-of-the-art infrastructure like power, security and ICT.
He pointed out: “The project is designed to provide a veritable platform for interactions between manufacturers, businesses, traders and entrepreneurs. It will enhance industrialization, entrepreneurship, commerce, local production and supply of goods and services across West Africa.
We are poised to developing what will arguably be regarded as the largest industrial cum commercial hub in Eastern Nigeria. This initiative will create the first of such commercial hub in a Free Trade Zone in Eastern Nigeria. I am using this opportunity to invite investors, individuals, businesses, foreign companies and entities to take advantage of the huge investment opportunities abound in the Zone.
Some of the pictures taken during the program
“Our aims are; to turn traders to manufacturers, importers to exporters, craftsmen to innovators and unemployed to business owners”.
