Determined to reposition the state as one of the country’s commercial hubs, the Rivers state Government in conjunction with frontline industrialists have concluded plans to hold an investor’s forum that would restore investor’s confidence in the region.
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Speaking with newsmen in Lagos at the weekend , the Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc., Mr. Atedo Peterside who doubles as the Chairman of the organizing committee, said the forum became necessary to revamp the economic fortunes of the region that contributes 95 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings .??
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To achieve the desired result, Mr. Peterside said? the forum would feature Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi – Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance Minister) and Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, (Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria) , Professor Bart Nnaji – Minister for Power,? Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke -Minister for Petroleum, Mr. Segun Aganga – Minister for Trade & Investments, Arc Mike Onolememen – Minister for Works, Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck – CEO of Siat nv, Belgium, among others.
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According to him,the Forum? scheduled to hold between November 16 to 18, is an entirely private-sector funded event being undertaken in the spirit of a refreshing public-private partnership/dialogue in Rivers State and its environs.
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“As you are aware, Rivers State and its environs are strategic to the economic well-being of Nigeria and it is therefore important that the area develops into a robust and secure commercial hub. A direct consequence of this is that it would help diffuse threats to the energy security of the world and should be a catalyst for the development of Oil and Gas activities around the Gulf of Guinea in a safe and environmentally friendly atmosphere.
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“It is for this reason, that a group of entrepreneurs and concerned stakeholders of Rivers State have sought collaboration with the Governor of the State to organizse an Investors’ Forum. It is our hope that through this collaboration, we will help boost economic activities in the State and its environs and also facilitate a turn-around nationally that will help our country attain and surpass the Millennium Development”, he added.
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