JIGAWA STATE GOVERNMENT WOOS INVESTORS WITH PROJIGAWA – THE INVESTORS’ ROUNDTABLE IN ABUJA

It was a gathering of investors, the Organised Private Sector and public sector agencies during the InvestJigawa – organised Investors’ Roundtable held at the Sheraton Abuja Hotel on the 18^th of March 2021.  Meant to showcase the state’s potentials in terms of investment opportunities, the event attracted private sector players such as Olam Group, Blue Camel Energy Limited, Outsource Global Company Limited and Cosgrove Investment Limited. The OPS was also not left out. The President of NACCIMA and her team were in attendance and so was NASSI. Federal government agencies in attendance included Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Export – Import Bank (NEXIM), Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), National Information Development Agency (NITDA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).

In her remarks, the Deputy Director State Coordination, NIPC, Hajja Gana Wakil urged investors at the roundtable to be at ease when investing in Jigawa State because of the high-level support from the state government as evidenced by the current World Bank ranking of the state as the 2^nd easiest place to do business in Nigeria. Mr. Andrew Thornburn, the Programme Lead of FCDO-LINKS who joined virtually from the United Kingdom said Jigawa State remains very close to his heart having been to the state in 2013 to facilitate the establishment of InvestJigawa. He said FCDO was committed to providing continued support to the agency.

The highlight of the event was the testimonials given by investors within the state, which boosted the confidence of those looking to enter into Jigawa state with their investments. A former Minister of Power and the first chairman of InvestJigawa Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, expressed appreciation to the state government for allocating land to his company, Highland Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Limited, within a short time to establish the first modular refinery in Jigawa State. Sonia Farms and Lee Group also gave their testimonials on how responsive the state government has been to their needs, especially support in ensuring their investments were secured. The roundtable also provided a first-hand opportunity for investors to ask questions and network with top government officials from the state and federal government. The event was led by His Excellency the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State Alhaji Umar Namadi, who doubles as the Chairman of the InvestJigawa Council.