The Hunan 50-man delegation was received on arrival at the Margaret Ekpo International airport, Calabar, by the deputy governor, Prof Ivara Esu.
During the pact signing ceremony held at the State Executive chamber, Calabar, Governor Ben Ayade, said: “Hunan and Cross River must come together to form a new economic embrace that depicts cross-economy, culture, respect and prosperity to the two divides.”
Explaining that Cross River State remains the epicenter of tourism with a people highly moderated by their conduct and act, the governor charged the investors to “capture and explore the African market, take advantage of the 1.3billion Africa people waiting to buy your products by using Cross River as your base.”
In demonstration of the sister-states commitment, Ayade announced the donation of land for the establishment of China town in Calabar.
The governor said that Cross River also provides hospitality and create investors ambience for local and international investors.
“Open your hearts to the great businesses as we conduct you round. You are going to have great opportunities in pharmaceuticals, construction, infrastructure, agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing and final end products. The opportunity is limitless and great, even as the landscape is illimitable,” the governor hinted.
Ayade, who said he was overwhelmed by the visit, further disclosed that “the first 50 investors that will come from Hunan to invest in the state will have land for free to establish their factories.”
Assuring the team of President Muhammadu Buhari’s interest in Cross River and his resolve to ensure that the various projects in the state were completed, the governor said: “We have the President of the country with us, he is ready to make sure that your investment in Cross River and indeed Nigeria is fully protected while ensuring that your investment in the country is also expanded.”
Earlier, Vice Governor of Hunan province in the Peoples Republic of China, Bao Xiang, explained that his team was in the state to not only get the pact implemented, but to ensure that the relationship between China and Nigeria got a boost.
Xiang who spoke through an interpreter disclosed that Hunan has over 73million people, located in the Central part of China with 210,000sq km of land, adding that “in 2016, the total GDP of the province was 430billion US dollars and after more than 30 years’ development, Hunan transited from traditional to a modern province.”
The vice governor explained that his team intended to go into agriculture, education, infrastructure development, manufacturing and cultural partnership with Cross River. He expressed the hope that the relationship between the sister-states will yield fruitful results that will tremendously impact on both countries. BY BABATUNDE AKINSOLA.
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