.Obaseki pledges more incentives
By Valentine Amanze
Chinese investors have concluded arrangement with the Edo State government to set up $500 million auto assembly plant in the state.
This part of the growing investor confidence in Edo State, stemming from market-oriented reform designed to drive industrialization by the state government.
The state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, disclosed this during a visit to Time Ceramics Company Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of floor tiles at Utesi Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
Obaseki pointed out that his administration was vigorously pursuing the goal to turn the state into an industrial hub and a major investment corridor by strengthening the state’s security architecture and reform of critical business-support institutions to improve the ease of doing business.
He said that already, his team’s efforts were yielding results and assured that with the new interest to set up an auto assembly plant in the state, more job offerings were on the way.
“Several Chinese companies are already operating in the state. In a few weeks from now, we will be hosting the investors who want to set up a vehicle assembly plant in Benin City to discuss details of their investment,” the governor said.
He added that the confidence of the Chinese investors in Edo State was also as a result of the success stories of Time Ceramics and other Chinese investments in the state.
He further disclosed that more incentives were being packaged for the existing and potential investors as part of strategies to woo more investors to the state.
After a tour of Time Ceramics, the Managing Director, Huang Shi Bin, expressed delight at the governor’s support for private investors and his commitment to their success in the country.
He appealed to the governor to help speed up the development of the Benin River Port, which he said would make it easier for them to access the international market, where the demand for their products is increasing.
Bin pledged to support the developmental efforts of the state government through the creation of jobs for Edo youth and quality products for the local market.
