Lagos Has Established Office Of Overseas Affairs And Investment, Ambode Tells Indian Envoy

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has announced the formation of the office of Overseas Affairs and Investment for the purpose of attracting foreign investments into the state.
This, even as he assured the High Commissioner of India, Mr. Ajjanpor Ghanashyan that his administration is committed to strengthening trade relationship with investors from that country.
The Governor, who received Ghanashyan in his office at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja today, explained the creating of the Office of the Overseas Affairs and Investment, which  under his supervision, is aimed at making the state more investor-friendly and safer.
“We have established Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, so that we can strengthen bi-lateral relationship. We need more investors to come into Lagos so that we can create employment and grow our GDP. Whatever it is you think we can do to increase investors from India, we are ready to talk,” he said.
The Governor made it clear that Lagos would draw inspiration from India as a modern democracy and from the way the economy is being conducted despite its huge population.
He assured the High Commissioner that the state is ready to expand its frontiers to accommodate investors who are willing to set up their businesses in the state.
“We are in dire need of a platform that allows for food security since this would further towards making robust achievement at transforming the lives of residents of the state, improve the economy of the State, increase the internally generated revenue, IGR, and translate to further employment opportunities for our unemployed youths.”
Governor Ambode listed software technology, manufacturing as well as Agro and Agro-allied sectors as possible areas where such bi-lateral relations could be strengthened, even as he assured them that the state is safe, conducive and investor-friendly to accommodate new businesses and investors willing to partner with Lagos.
Earlier, the High Commissioner of India, Mr. Ajjanpor Ghanashyan expressed the willingness of his country to partner with Lagos as it is the economic hub and capital of Nigeria as well as home to many India investments.
He said that he was in Lagos to invite the Governor to address a delegation of 150 businessmen that would visit Lagos in the coming weeks on a mission to seek ways to strengthen bi-lateral trade between India and Lagos State. [myad]