Anambra state has been rated number one in Ease of business in the South East zone despite ecological, economic and socio-political challenges.
National President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Francis Meshioye announced the rating at a town hall hosted by the association at Dozzy Oil Crescent, Onitsha.
Meshioye, who listed the challenges being surmounted by Anambra State in delivering business development more than other South East states to include cash crunch, Monday-sit-home, high cost of petroleum products and perennial flooding, among others, commended Anambra state Governor, Chukwuma Soludo for keying into global economic brand to boost the business sector in the state.
Welcoming Meshioye and his team to the state, Gov. Soludo reiterated his administration’s keenness to partnering local manufacturers under the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria as product of his devotion to promoting indigenous technology and brands over imports.
Gov. Soludo urged the people, including manufacturers to patronise themselves for economic development.
“With a sizable urban population, Anambra’s future lies in industrialisation and manufacturing, and we are dedicated to following this path. Our goal for Anambra is to make it a thriving community where people want to live and visit. People won’t be able to invest in the state if they can’t come and feel at home.
“In our master plan, we have also acquired 100 hectares of land that will house the centre of commerce and grow to be Africa’s largest shopping mall, as well as 4,000 hectares of land that will be an industrial city and the Nnewi Automobile Park at Akwaihedi. We will develop a power policy, now that the Nigerian constitution has been amended to include power on the concurrent list,”Governor Soludo said.
Earlier, Chairperson of MAN chapters in Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States, Ada Chukwudozie said that industrialisation is key driver of growth for sustainable economy, pointing out that the sector has the highest multiplier effect as it contributes directly to the GDP of the Country.
In attendance were ,Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Uche Okafor, Traditional Ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, President -General of ASATU, Titus Akpudo, Director -General of MAN, SeunAjayi Kabiri, among others.