MINNA- Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger State on Friday, urged Nigerians to leverage the economy and expand the nation’s employment capacity by patronising locally manufactured goods.
Aliyu made the call in Minna at the opening ceremony of the 12th Niger Trade Fair, tagged: Niger 2014.
Aliyu, represented by the Deputy Governor Ahmed Ibeto, said patronage of locally manufactured goods encouraged domestic and foreign investments.
According to him, promotion of local goods strengthens national economy and engenders growth.
Earlier the Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Cooperatives, Alhaji Hassan Abdullahi, said the fair attested to the peaceful and tranquil business atmosphere in the state.
“The state has been able to provide a peaceful, secured and conducive investment climate through its policies, legislation, programmes and incentives’’, he said.
Hassan added that the governor had through his economic policy, showed commitment in reducing the cost of doing business in the state.
“He also encourages interested investors in managing the challenges of export business.’’
He said that the state’s supply chain competiveness had been overhauled to drive exports business and attract new investments through the creation of One Stop Investment Centre and Niger State Environment Protection Agency.
President of Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Salihu Ahmed, said growth and development of commerce, industry, tourism and agriculture were significant catalysts in development of Niger.
“Niger is ranked as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, a home for all Nigerians and hence the most peaceful state to do business’’, he said.
Many state governments and organisations are participating in the fair. (NAN)