Governor Bala wants China invest in Agric, tourism, others key economic sectors in Bauchi

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has appealed to the Chinese government to invest in Agriculture, tourism, solid mineral, among other key economic sectors in the state with a view to creating massive job spaces for the citizens.

Bala who was speaking yesterday while unveiling the Bauchi State Investment Opportunities to the Chinese Ambassador, Cui Jianchun, said Bauchi State has a lot of potentials for investment in tourism, agriculture, natural resources, physical infrastructure among others.

According to him, the business environment of Bauchi has recorded tremendous successes during his administration, adding that best investment strides would be deepened to ease doing business.

Bala said, that can be achieved through robust partnership with international community as part of his government’s desire to bring development that will ensure rapid progress and growth of the state.

While describing the visit by the Chinese envoy as auspicious and rewarding to the people of Bauchi state, Governor Bala welcomed the intended bilateral assistance to Bauchi state by the Chinese government.

“The coming of the Chinese investors to Bauchi has opened up the state for international investment and we thank the Chinese envoy for providing us with the opportunity for the bilateral engagement”, the Governor said.

He pledged his administration’s resolve to leverage on the investment opportunities to enable the state become a pilot state in the implementation of the bilateral assistance.

“We have already created an enabling environment for the protection of investment in the state, not only by Chinese government, but for all the donor partners”, Bala assured.

The Governor noted that Bauchi state and Nigeria have benefited maximally from Chinese government through grants and other interventions for good governance.

Bala assured that his administration will come up with strategic plans of working on the terms of reference of the partnership between the state and the Chinese government for effective implementation in order to achieve the desired objectives.

The Governor assured the international investors that Bauchi State at the moment has been opened for business and his administration will not relent in ensuring the maintenance of peace and security for business activities to effectively climaxed and thrive.

While responding, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Cui Jianchun expressed the readiness of his country to assist the state and by extension Nigeria fight poverty among its citizens.

The interactive session our Corresspondent reports had Governor Bala Mohammed, officials of the Bauchi state government, business community including local and national investors in attendance.

Mr Jianchun said that the Chinese government is ready to assist Nigeria and Bauchi state for economic advancement in critical sectors of the economy through technology for the interest of Nigerians.

According to him, China will assist Bauchi State in the areas of infrastructure, security, ICT, agriculture, industries and investment by taking full advantage of the state’s resources to bring in investors to harness them for revitalizing the economy in line with international best practices.

“I am here in Bauchi with the team of investors from China for us to discuss extensively with Bauchi State Government and the business community in the state for possible assistance from us to enable them enhance and develop their businesses” he said.

The Chinese Ambassador commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his foresight to seek for partnership and collaboration with the Chinese government for investment and other opportunities.

He equally assured that as the 14th Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, he will work assidiously to deepen the relationship between China, Nigeria and Bauchi state for mutual economic benefits.