Abia Govt. partners Indonesia on economic dev’t, industrialisation

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has said that the state government is prepared to partner with the Indonesian government to boost economic development and industrialization in the state.

Otti said this on Thursday when the Indonesian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Usra Harahap, paid him a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.

The governor also reiterated the readiness of the state government to collaborate with willing foreign investors to stimulate the state’s economy and boost socioeconomic development.

He said that the Republic of Indonesia had made various innovative scientific and technological advancements and had a progressive Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate.

“We are pleased that Indonesia has identified Aba as one of the states it desires to partner with, and you have close to US$1.3 trillion in GDP, which is a lot; so there is a whole lot to learn from you,” Otti said.

He said that the government was interested in partnerships for the development of education, agriculture, entertainment, health, trade, industry, commerce, and technology, among others

Otti said that the collaboration with Indonesia would assist in facilitating the development of the various sectors of the state’s economy.

“Our people are very, very innovative, so all they require is a little support in terms of an enabling environment, support in terms of infrastructure, and support in terms of seed capital.

“The government is very serious about providing these kinds of support; when you talk about SMEs, this is where it comes from.

“If we can work together to establish an entrepreneurship and technology centre anywhere in the state, I know you’ve done that for a few countries; you can also do that for us here,” he said.

He assured that the state government had opened up the state for businesses

and would provide an enabling environment for foreign investors to invest in Abia.

Otti expressed optimism that the collaboration between the Abia and Indonesian governments would benefit the state.

Earlier, Harahap described his visit as a demonstration of his country’s commitment to fostering diplomatic cooperation with Nigeria and Abia.

He said that the Indonesian government had a keen interest in establishing meaningful partnerships in crucial sectors such as trade, agriculture, education, technology, construction and works, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and entrepreneurship.

According to him, these sectors were key to fostering economic prosperity and creating opportunities for the people of Indonesia and Abia State.

Harahap urged the business community and the government to explore the numerous opportunities in Indonesia.