African Institute for Applied Economics (AIAE), has concluded plans to launch the second comprehensive report of its findings on the critical factors that influence business environment in the 36 states of the Federation including Abuja FCT.

Communications and Relations Manager, Mr Sola Oluwadare, who disclosed this to Reporters in Lagos, said that the report would be presented at the second National Forum on Business Environment across Nigerian States (tagged FOBEANS 2010).

He said that the event which would draw dignitaries from both the government and private sector will hold later this month in Abuja.

According to him, the report would provide model benchmarks and indicators for evaluating and comparing business environment in different states of Nigeria, adding that more than 480 local experts had gone into the nooks and crannies of the country to fish out this useful information which would serve as bases for advocacy by the OPS, NGOs and other stakeholders.

The Institute, he said, therefore, called on governments to watch out for what he called, “a scientific but simple barometer that will show areas of urgent attention that will better the lots of Nigerians”.

He added that the National Forum on Business Environment is an integral component of the Business Environment and Competitiveness across Nigerian States (BECANS) programme. “The Forum will feature the public presentation of the Business Environment Report on Nigerian States and, a flagship publication under the BECANS programme.

Also, the Forum serves as an international platform for evidence-based dialogue and information sharing on the business environment in Nigeria, from the looking glass of state-level evidence”, he noted.

AIAE had in August 2007 launched the first circle which was widely received and supported by the government and business community in Nigeria, especially the Organised Private Sector (OPS).

According to him, the Forum will draw a wide range of stakeholders and participants from ministries, departments and agencies of the federal and state governments and Abuja FCT, private sector and civil society including research community and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs). International development agencies and the diplomatic community will also attend.