Katsina to Provide Platform for Foreign, Local Investors

Martins Ifijeh

The Katsina State government has pledged its commitment to providing the needed enabling environment for business to thrive.

The Secretary to the Government, Alhaji Mustapha Mohammad Inuwa, who made the pledge during a press briefing in Lagos yesterday to announce the State’s forthcoming economic and investment summit, said the state government has resolved to link up with investors in other parts of the country, as well as harp on the economic potential that are available in the State.

According to him, investors would find Katsina State good for business because of the natural resources that abound, adding that, the state meets the sustainability, risk-adjusted returns and political-risk ratings that are fundamental requirements for economic growth.

He said: “We produce one third of the sugar cane consumed in this country, and we are one of the highest producers of tomatoes as well in the country,” he stressed, adding that, “from agriculture, banking, transportation, housing, small scale enterprise and trading, and the enormous natural resources available to us, we believe we have all it takes for investors to make return on their investment. This is why we are calling on the investing public to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Inuwa said this was why the government was putting the summit together, it has been billed to hold between May 9th to May 11th at the State capital.

Lending his voice, the Chairman of the Summit Committee, Ibrahim Tukur Jikamshi, explained that the expected participants at the three-day summit include, agribusiness entrepreneurs wishing to network with potential partners; producers and investors who want to explore new opportunities in agribusiness; investors in solid minerals, power, property development, tourism, transportation, hospitality, and creative arts industries; investors, fund managers seeking solid investable projects and banking executives and other financiers.

Others, according to him, include captains of industry, professionals and entrepreneurs, and other well-meaning Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, the President, African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; as well as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefile.
On Security, the Chairman said Katsina State remained the most peaceful state in the country.