Anambra State To Share In African Continental Market Worth $3.4 Trillion

The Anambra State Government says the Made in Anambra Export policy initiative will give the state a share of the African continental market, which is valued at $3.4 trillion.

This, according to the State Commissioner for Industry, Mr.Christian Udechukwu, will boost the economy of the state and nation.

The commissioner made the assertion at the vital briefing of captains of industries at the 2023 Export Pre- Launch for the upcoming Made in Anambra for Export Expo 2023.

He said the Expo will bring about many industries, investment banks, commercial banks, professional services firms, insurers, shippers, and hundreds of business visitors to the state.

The commissioner said the Made in Anambra for Export Expo 2023 would be unveiled by Governor Chukwuma Soludo from October 3 – 4 ,2023.

Mr.Udechukwu stated that Made in Anambra Export Campaign 2023 would create jobs for youths, expand productivity by industries, attract new industries, and give all Africans access to high-quality products manufactured in Anambra state.

While democratizing access to wealth creation and enabling shared prosperity in Anambra state, Made in Anambra will transform the state and nations economy, especially with Industrial Parks, Industrial Clusters, Free Trade Zones, Export Processing Zones, Pharmaceutical Emporium and more being developed for take off.

Speaking at the event, Mr.Udechukwu said, “Our mandate from the governor is to revive the dead and ailing industries, 391 industries registered with us but we are working hard to incorporate and register many more.

“We are working with banks for funding, we are also working on oil and gas free zones and industrial zones.

“Our benchmark is Africa.Once the state 8th assembly accents the domestic power law, companies will have the production capacity to produce for the nation and even Economic Community of West African States,ECOWAS.”

On her part, the President of the Southeast Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Lady Ada Chukwudozie, emphasized that the issue of export was critical to the economy and would also strengthen the nations financial position in the global market.

The MAN president further affirmed that there was urgent need for the following for Nigerian Manufacturers to thrive.

“Manufacturers processes to meet global standard, skill building in order to meet the demands of the global stage and strengthen the nations financial positions, government support to address multiple taxation, to ensure security for the manufacturers,to create a virtual market place,to explore collaborations and partnerships at home and abroad,for global tradehood in the wake of African free trade zone,”  she said.

Lady Chukwudozie who asserted that largest formal incubation centre in Nigeria is in Anambra state, also called on the state government to give maximum support to the manufacturers to enable them compete globally.

She appreciated the state government for the Agricultural initiatives and empowering the citizens through the one youth, two skills programme.

Meanwhile, the president of Anambra Chambers of Commerce, Pharmacist Uche Apakama, who recalled that 2022 flood prevented some industries in the riverine areas to produce for six months, urged the government to urgently prevent such from happening again this year.

Apakama also called on the government to build good roads and provide adequate and lasting security in the state to encourage manufacturers.

Present at the event were stakeholders from Ibeto Group, Cutix Plc, Dozzy Group, representatives from leading banks and Anambra State Coordinators of, NAFDAC, SMEDAN, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Export Promotion Council.

Confidence Okwuchi