The Abia State Government has signed an agreement for a Multi-million Naira Deal with the Nigerian Export Promotion Commission for the establishment of an Export Expansion Program Resource Center in Aba, Abia State.
The signing ceremony held at the Nigeria Pavilion at the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair in Durban, South Africa organised by the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM Bank).
Speaking during the ceremony, the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo expressed excitement at the consumation of the agreement which the two parties have been working on for some months.
Mr. Awolowo disclosed that with the signing of this agreement, Abia State was set to benefit hundreds of Millions of Naira from the Presidential Economic Recovery and Growth Program (ERGP) which is funding the Export Expansion Program.
The Export Chief disclosed that the Nigerian Export Promotion Commission is now ready to build an Export Expansion Resource Center in Aba which will be a one-stop shop facilitating export of goods and services from Aba to the rest of Africa and beyond in line with the African Continental Free Trade Act and commended Governor Ikpeazu and his team for their doggedness and commitment to the project which has seen the state meet the requirements for the introduction of the Program to Abia State.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, expressed delight at the development and requested meetings between officials of the Abia State Government and NEPZA for the exploration of how Abia State can benefit from the opportunities available to states in his Agency.
In his remarks, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State expressed appreciation to all the parties who have worked assiduously to see to the realisation of the agreement. He reassured of the personal commitment of his office to position Abia State for all available opportunities to support businesses in Abia State.
Officials of the Abia State Government and NEPC signed the symbolic agreement for the kick-off of the program.
Present at the ceremony were officials of the Abia State Government, Sam Hart and Chinenye Nwaogu as well as industrialists, Sir Raymond Aliga and Chief Okey Ahiwe while the Managing Director of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba and officials of both Federal Agencies were also in attendance.