The Edo State Government and the South African Government are strengthening bilateral relations to explore areas of investment in agriculture, economy, healthcare, entertainment and education, among others for the mutual benefit of both economies.
The Head of Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi; the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of South Africa, Lagos, Dr. Bobby Moroe and the Vice Consul, Political, Busisiwe Dlamini, disclosed this while speaking to journalists after a business meeting in Benin City.
Uwaibi noted, “We have identified about four businesses that have expressed their readiness to come to Edo State and we are putting modalities on ground to ensure a seamless business relationship.
“For South Africa to show its readiness to invest in Nigeria and Edo State in particular shows that we have a remarkable statistic of successes recorded so far about businesses thriving in the state.
“We are very much ready to assist South Africa businesses that are ready to expand their services in the State. Edo is a transport hub and its doors are opened for intending investors to come invest in the State. We are looking at areas like tourism, entertainment, hospitality and agro-business, amongst others.”
He added, “We are big in the oil palm business as over eight to nine investors have come into the State to invest in the last 18 months, and over 500 million dollars have been invested into that sector. The collaboration with the South African Government started with this meeting and now, they are meeting with crops of business people in Edo State.”
On her part, Busisiwe Dlamini said, “As a Consulate, we have identified Edo State as a huge potential for our businesses in different sectors especially as the State is rated as number third in the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“We are looking at arts and tourism, financial sector, hospitality, youth development, training opportunities and agro-processing. We have identified areas of which are more pragmatic and we will develop a template which is also pragmatic and take pragmatic steps as we continue to engage. We have identified sectors, timelines and look at progress made.”
