Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has urged foreign and indigenous investors to take advantage of the enabling business environment in the state to expand their businesses.

Ugwuanyi made the call on Monday in a message to the Enugu State Special Day at the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair.

The governor represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, said that the government had invested heavily on security and infrastructure to aid businesses.

According to him, following the conducive environment in the state, the Rockefeller Foundation recently admitted Enugu State into the prestigious club of 100 Most Resilient Cities in the World.

“Furthermore, the state’s business profile is boosted by the presence of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, which today is a hub for some international airlines.

“Also, the approval and full certification for the Enugu-ENPOWER Free Trade Zone by the Federal Government and the commissioning of the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO)/AVIANCE warehouse, have boosted business in the state.”

Ugwuanyi said that the government offered irresistible incentives in the areas of land allocation, tax holiday and easy repatriation of profits by investors.

He also said that the state's population would sustain the market of any product, service or idea.

“With a population of about five million, including the incentives mentioned above, Enugu is the destination of any serious investor in the country.”

The governor said that potential investment opportunities existed in the solid mineral resources, health, agriculture, transport and logistics, housing development, education and tourism sectors.

Earlier, the President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Rev. Ugochukwu Chime, lauded the state government on its four-point agenda meant to facilitate industrial development of the state.

“The chamber is grateful for the support and cordial relationship between the state government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS), which had built industrial harmony and progress for all.”

The theme of the fair was ‘Diversification of the Nation’s Economy: From Rhetoric to Coordinated Action.’ (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Ugwuanyi.

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