The South- East Economic Summit is expected to commence today at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu.
Eminent intellectuals, professionals, business and political leaders from the south-east are expected to attend the opening ceremony.
A statement signed by the Enugu State commissioner for commerce and industry, Dr. Jude Akubuilo, said that the summit themed: “Creating a 21st Century for
South- East Nigeria-Igwebuike,” would be hosted by the five south- east governors with the president of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Ralph Uwaechue, and a host of other important personalities as guests of honour.
He disclosed that the summit would seek solutions to? peculiar factors militating against the economic development of the region and find ways of repositioning its economy to meet contemporary standards and demands.
Akubuilo further explained that the summit would focus on ways and means of reviving the industrial base of the region while strengthening and improving upon its current comparative commercial advantage.
Other issues that would occupy the front burner at the summit he said, include the development and maintenance of imperative infrastructure, access to necessary funds and other ancillary facilities, redressing of imbalances and practices that tended to marginalise or discriminate against the region as well as the role of good governance in the economic development of the region.
The commissioner added that eminent scholars from within and outside the country would deliver papers and lectures on different aspects of the region’s economy, stressing that the outcome of the summit would be treated as the blueprint for? future development plans or projects in the region.
“This is without doubt a very important and significant event, not only for the south- east region but for the country as a whole. The summit is expected to come up with a blueprint or model for the rapid and sustainable development of the south region and indeed any region of the world with the same peculiarities,” he said.
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