By Ebele Iyke
Anambra State has secured the adoption of its memorandum on strengthening industry, trade and investment at the 17th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI) held in Enugu from 20-24 July.
The memorandum, titled “Enhancing Competitiveness in Industry, Trade and Investment for Inclusive Growth and Global Market Integration in Anambra State,” was presented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Mr Nonso Chukwuma Ebonwu.
A statement by the Ministry of Commerce said the memorandum was approved by the Technical Working Council after deliberations and subsequently adopted by the council.
The council, convened by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is the nation’s highest policy making platform for harmonising federal and state strategies on industry, trade and investment.
The Technical Working Council was chaired by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and co-chaired by the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan Enoh.
Anambra’s delegation, led by Ebonwu, comprised the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Industry and the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics. The team participated in deliberations on policies to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial competitiveness, trade and investment.
The adopted memorandum advocated stronger collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, state governments and the organised private sector to accelerate industrial development, improve access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), promote investment and enhance the competitiveness of local industries.
Speaking after the meeting, Ebonwu described the adoption of the memorandum as a significant outcome that reflected the state government’s commitment to advancing commerce, industrialisation, investment and sustainable economic development.
He said the development further demonstrated Anambra’s commitment to contributing to national economic policy and supporting initiatives that promote enterprise development, inclusive economic growth and job creation.
Ebele Iyke is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
