By Michael Eboh
OGUN State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zhejiang province of the Peoples Republic of China to promote bicameral economic cooperation and partnership between both states.

Speaking during the visit of the Governor of the Zhejiang Province, Mr. Lu Zushan to the state, yesterday, the Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel disclosed that the agreement will facilitate interaction between the government and citizens of both states and will further provide an avenue for networking between Chinese investors and industries in the state with the view of promoting economic and business growth.

Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Lu Zushan expressed confidence that the partnership will produce positive results in the next couple of years, as it will help in promoting the investment objectives of the Zhejiang Province and help accelerate the development of Ogun State.

He disclosed that with the signing of the MoU, more Chinese investors, especially businessmen from the province, will be encouraged to come to the state and enter into strategic partnership businessmen in the state, as well as invest in certain key sectors.

…lays  foundation for industrial park

Meanwhile, the foundation laying ceremony of a mega industrial park, capable of generating 50,000 employment opportunities when fully completed has been performed in Ogun State. The park, situated at Keeke village, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway is an initiative of Ogun State Government in partnership with leading Chinese investors.

According to a statement by the Press Officer to the governor, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, the State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel said, at the turning of the sod of  park, that  the project which would be the first of its kind in the country would occupy 1,650 acres of land, adding that the first phase was capable of generating 10,000 employment opportunities.

Otunba Daniel who was accompanied at the foundation laying programme by the Governor of Zhejian Province in China, Mr Lu Zuhan and over 45 visiting investors from China, said 23 Chinese factories would commence operation under the first phase.

According to him, “we are determined to position our state as an investment hub and the totality of what we are doing is to grow the economy, generate massive employment for the present and future generation of our people and Nigeria in general”.

He urged the people of the communities to cooperate with the Chinese in order to ensure the success of the project  pointing out that “you stand to gain a lot in the various stages of construction and full operations”

Describing China as “ partner in progress in our development drive”, Otunba Daniel said Memorandum of Understanding had been signed  with the leading Chinese companies on manufacturing, retailing and distribution which cut across textile, power, cement production, agriculture, and technological advancement.

Speaking at the occasion, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo commended the State Government for its giant strides aimed at putting the state on a sound economic footing, urging the people to cooperate in order to ensure the success of the project.

He expressed optimism that the park would turn around the economy of the nation when fully completed.

The Chinese investors had earlier held an interactive session with key industrialists from the state to foster business relationships, during which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on behalf of the state by Governor Gbenga Daniel.