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The Government of Osun State has expressed its readiness to exploit the business and industrial potentials of the state.
This was made known at a strategic meeting held with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) during the week in Abuja.
According to a statement signed by Olawale Rasheed, Spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, the meetings were held to maximize the economic potentials of the state.
The statement said both engagements were convened at the instance of Governor Adeleke in keeping with his efforts to transform the state to a business and industrial hub.
It also quoted the Governor as saying: “Our administration is working hard to develop the state business sectors, we need new partnerships with several federal and international agencies.
“I have the sense of urgency to change this label of civil service state. We want our industrial sector to grow. Therefore, we have to develop the abandoned free trade zone, this will drive inflow of investment.
“We hope to get the SME industrial clusters off the ground, need mini-industrial parks all over the Senatorial districts. We are reviewing the Omoluabi economic zone to make it truly functional”.
At the SMEDAN meeting, Senator Lere Oyewumi who led the Osun delegation, said the state was ready to tap into all the programmes of the agency in order to create wealth for the state and its residents.
Oyewumi said: “You can see our delegation is strong and this demonstrates our readiness to grow the Osun business potentials.
“We seek revival of previous agreements and the creation of new ones. Our government is business friendly”, he added.
Director General of SMEDAN, Olawale Fasanya while responding said Osun state was receiving full attention of the agency, citing various initiatives of the agency already taking root in the state.
Fasanya said, in addition to the proposed training facility within the Industrial Development Centre, Osogbo, there was also the ongoing identification for development of small cluster business zones among others.
“We have had several MOUs with previous Osun state governments. Now is the time to build up a new one that will be very comprehensive”, the SMEDAN boss said.
At NEPZA, both parties agreed to accelerate the revival of the Living Spring Free Trade Zone which has remained dormant for years.
They also agreed to work to enhance partnership on the development of the Special Agriculture Processing Zone as well as development of the state investment promotion agency.
