Free trade zones creation, high priority to govt -Katagum

By Miriam Humbe

The federal government has expressed its commitment to partner foreign investors in the development of its free trade zones in order to create jobs for the Nigerian populace.
Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Yelwaji Katagum, stated this during her meeting with a delegation of foreign investors from Ohio State in the United States of America led by a Nigerian partner who is also a Director in the Horizon Metals Limited, Alhaji Munir Umar in her office.
The Minister maintained that the creation of free trade zones was of high priority to the present administration as a means of creating jobs for Nigerians.
A statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Minister of State, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, said Ambassador Katagum explained that the development of the free trade zones in the country would provide job opportunities and wealth creation among others.
She further stated that both the federal government and the delegation would engage in stakeholders’ discussion to look into the timelines, investment opportunities and the number of jobs to be created.
Katagum expressed appreciation to the delegation for indicating interest to invest in Nigeria and noted that the visit was coming at the right time that President Buhari’s Next Level agenda was kicking off, saying that government would continue to create an enabling environment for ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Earlier in his address, the Chief of Operations, Crimson Gate Consulting Company, the technical partner, Mr Brent Dyke informed the Minister that the company was interested in investing in Nigeria particularly in Bauchi state which he noted has a lot of similarities with Ohio State in the United States of America.
He said his company planned to invest in the development of mining, manufacturing and other areas of production with a view to reinvesting part of the profit back into the locality for Nigerians to be empowered.
He added that the free trade zone to be developed would be of immense benefits to both parties as there would be no barrier in the movement of goods while value addition would be done within the zone.