By Valentine Amanze
Imo State government has been assured of the support of
the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) towards revamping the economy of the state.
The president of the bank, Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, disclosed this during a meeting with officials of Imo State government held at the Winter Conference Hall of Radisson Collection, Moscow, Russia.
The aim of the meeting was for the government to pitch to the bank the development and investment opportunities in the state and the need for an increase in internally generated revenue through Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and public-private partnerships.
Governor Emeka Ihedioha, in his presentation, while noting the need for improved and structured financial facilities to enable the process of repositioning Imo State, also highlighted key areas his administration intends to revamp, assuring that the faith and confidence of the people in the government has been restored.
He pointed out the key sectors include agriculture, transportation, electricity, infrastructural rehabilitation .
Also brought to light were the viable and underutilized potentials of the state’s resources such as the maritime sector.
The President of Afreximbank expressed satisfaction with the presentations and demonstrated keen interest in Imo State as the most strategically positioned state in the South-east. He reiterated that Afreximbank was willing to assist the new government to attract Foreign Direct Investments which will lead to an exponential growth of the state’s IGR and GDP.
Prof. Oramah stated that the bank currently has major key players in the maritime sector that will be willing to invest in the commercialization of the Imo State waterways.
