.....as Ministry of Industry set for economic growth and development

From Uchenna Ezeadigwe,
Awka

Despite the unprecedented activities in the state, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has continued the clarion call even during a town hall meeting with Ndi Anambra at Federal Capital Territory, Abuja where he specifically enjoined the business owners and investors of Anambra extraction to imbibe the homeland consciousness by repatriating home their investments to begin the foundational process of developing the State.

Notwithstanding, the Ministry of Industry has engaged relevant stakeholders and experts in different manufacturing industries at the unveiling of the 2023 pre launch for Made in Anambra Pan African export to discuss ways forward to achieve economic growth and development.

The pre launch organised by the Ministry of Industry launched the "Made in Anambra Pan African Export project" was held recently in Awka with the aim to encourage leading industries in the state to strategically export their products to 54 African countries, taking advantage of the vast market of approximately 1.2 billion people with an estimated value of $3.4 trillion, News Echo reports.

In his opening remark, The Commissioner for Industry in Anambra State, Hon Christian Udechukwu, announced the pre-launch event, outlining the government's vision for expanding industries internationally and tapping into the African free trade area. He stated that "The initiative seeks to leverage the knowledge, expertise, and financial capacity of industries in Anambra, following the success of the state's governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, in spearheading a pioneering Pan African bank. 'The government plans to provide support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through cooperative financing and specialized funding from the state. Additionally, the agricultural sector is receiving a boost with the cultivation of one million palm oil and coconut seedlings, benefiting over 130,000 families".

"Anambra intends to secure a portion of the 240 billion naira allocated by the federal government for palm oil components importation to enhance local production.
The state is also focusing on developing a skilled workforce, especially in the ICT sector, with over 30,000 youths already trained in ICT skills. Anambra aims to attract new industries in animation, artificial intelligence, and the Internet fostering partnerships to support these endeavors", he said.

Hon Udechukwu explained that, "the government is dedicated to enhancing ease of doing business in the state, introducing smart technologies, and migrating government services online to provide better access and efficiency for citizens".

He noted that plans are in top hear for the official unveiling of the Made in Anambra Pan African Export Program 2023 is scheduled for October 3-4, 2023, at the International Conference in Africa.

Hon Udechukwu however pointed out that state's stakeholders, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and chambers of commerce, have equally expressed optimism about the program's potential to bolster economic growth, promote job creation, and position Anambra State as a technology and industrial hub in Africa.

With the governor's ambitious vision and deliberate approach, Anambra State aims to thrive in the dynamic and competitive global market, becoming a major player in Africa's economic landscape'.

The Chairman of the Manufacturer's Association, South East Zone, Lady Ada Chukwu Dozie, howevr extolled the Prof Charles Soludo Administration to showing an unwavering commitment to promoting made in Anambra goods. " I have seen and heard several initiatives from our government. I'm so convinced that we are in great times, beautiful days for Ndi Anambra, especially key agenda in transformation of industrialized that will create a technology hub, very livable, and prosperous for all".

Lady Dozie further disclosed that Governor Soludo is always promoting made in Anambra products, which his outfit, his vehicles (thanks to Innoson) and had made sure that the activities of touting are being brought to the barest minimum. "When we called upon him that we are having issues of multiple taxation harassment from touts. He also intervened, even though as these touts are still persistent, but he stood up to our calls for action, and that shows his good intentions.

"We have a government that is keenly interested and very intentional about all initiatives, we have been put in structures on the ground Free Trade Zone economic processes and industrial clusters enhancing the energy in the in the state through the MOU with EDC to improve power supply and then to reduce the cost of supply that alone will engender productivity in the state and create more wealth and of course jobs. We also are aware of efforts because we are feeling it even though it is not everybody well status here to be completely safe. Okay, but its efforts towards security securing lives and property in this state is also very common. Otherwise if not for those his efforts, I don't think that Anambra State will be what it is today

In his reaction, the President, Anambra State Chamber of Commerce, and Chief Executive Officer, PAX Pharmacy, Pharm Uche Akpakama described governor Soludo's development strides as second to non. Creating innovations that will transform the state into a liveable and prosperous state.

He stressed that Anambra State is the commercial hub centre for Industries and manufacturing companies but lamented over the dwindling effects of low productivity, while expressing hope that the Soludo's made in Anambra products will provide a more robust transformation in the manufacturing industries.

Pharm Akpakama called on the state government to look into improving small and scale medium entreprises can be empowered to effectively produce what will meet International standards and be able to export their goods.

Anambra Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu while reiterating the role of media said there is no way you can drive the made in Anambra goods without the media, this is why when people talk about the investment they talk about how to promote, they think about the media. When you want to export you have to promote your goods, and the media is what will do it. So you need that for investment, export manufacturing, to succeed. Without the media its not going to work because the next person will not know what your doing".

Assuring investors, he explained that when Soludo Administration came into power, eight local government were shut down by gunmen but today they have being liberated, we are telling our people to come back, the security situation has improved drastically.

"Infact it has improved by almost ninety percent so if you can guarantee 90% security it is as good as been secured. There is no way where you get a hundred percent security. Our villages and Nigerian police are doing a good job, which you can attedt on the social media".

Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) Anambra State Chapter, Mr Oguegbe Chinemerem, noted that Nano and Micro Enterprises which according to the recent statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics constitute 96.9% of Businesses in Nigeria and which mostly exist in the Anambra.

He however called on the ministry to consider and give them a platform that will enable their growth in the business. "I pleaded that opportunities be created for these upcoming small businesses to be able to grow and tap from the opportunities abound around Manufacturers and large Industries in the State. These Nano and Micro Enterprises can tap from the Value Chain to be created from this huge event and from operations of Manufacturing Industries in the State".

"I was delighted when stakeholders at the event agreed that there’s need to ensure that micro enterprise be supported as tomorrow they will graduate as the new generation Innosons, Chikasons and other big manufacturers and owners of big Industries in the State. There’s no better way to ensure growth for Micro Enterprises than to guide them through the process of growth by supporting them in their little endeavors".

"I applaud the Hon Commissioner for Industry for this well articulated program that gave opportunity for stakeholders like MAN, Anambra Chambers of Commerce, SMEDAN, top Bank Executives in the State and of course NASME to see how we can come together in making Anambra the Industrial Hub of Nigeria", he added.

Others who attended the events were, MD/CEO, Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA).
Anambra State Government, Emeka Iloghalu, market leaders, heads of Parastastals among others.