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Nigeria is on the upswing, according to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, who announced that the country has climbed 15 rungs to occupy the 131st position in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ index.
This remarkable ascent, from 146th out of 190 countries, signals a welcome shift towards a more business-friendly climate.
Governor Alex Otti yesterday inaugurated the Abia State Ease of Doing Business Council (EDBC), a strategic initiative designed to build on the state’s momentum in fostering a business-friendly environment. The move is poised to further enhance the ease of doing business in Abia, hot on the heels of Nigeria’s notable improvement in the global rankings.
Prince Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information and Culture, shared insights with The Guardian after the weekly Executive Council Meeting, revealing that Governor Otti has empowered the Ease of Doing Business Council (EDBC) to drive Abia State’s economic agenda by fostering a business environment that attracts investment and stimulates growth.
Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu has been tapped by Governor Otti to helm the Ease of Doing Business Council (EDBC) as its Chairman, leveraging his expertise to drive the state’s economic growth agenda and foster a conducive business ecosystem.
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Governor Alex Otti emphasized that Abia State’s heritage is rooted in commerce, with a staggering 80% of its population engaged in various business pursuits. He stressed that this inherent entrepreneurial spirit necessitates the creation of a business-friendly environment, fostering growth and prosperity.
He argued that this underscored the importance of putting in place and ensuring a very business friendly environment for Abia people first, and then others who want to invest in the state, including foreign investors.
The governor also said that although Nigeria has made progress in its ranking on the ease of doing business, the progress has been slow from number 146 out of 190 countries in 2018 to its current 131 ranking.
He said: “This shows that we are still struggling as a country, considering that 130 other countries are ahead of us.
This, in practical terms, means that investors, who are looking for where to invest their money, will consider 130 other countries before remembering us.”
Chairman Emetu, on behalf of the council, committed to harnessing their diverse skills and experience to establish Abia State as a prime destination for investment, unlocking its economic potential and cementing its reputation as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.