'Private sector, critical to industrial growth' - Niger Chamber of Commerce

The President, Niger State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Salihu Ahmed, on Sunday said the private sector held the key to the commercial and industrial growth of the nation.

He stated this in Minna at the Niger State day during the 11th National Trade Fair going on in the state.

'I see private sector operatives as strong partners in the economic transformation of the society and urge the local and international investors to exploit the good resources of Niger State,' he said.

Ahmed also said that Niger State was heavily endowed with both natural and human resources waiting to be tapped.

'We are also blessed with highly committed and focused leadership as well as very peaceful environment for investors to invest,' he said.

Ahmed appreciated the policies of Governor Babangida Aliyu for the industrial and commercial growth of the state, adding, 'We are left in no doubt that with the current drive, our goal of placing the state among the three topmost economies in the country by the year 2020 will be met.'

In his address, the Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Cooperatives, Mr, Hassan Abdullahi, said Niger State had put in place various incentives for the purpose of promoting trade and investment within and outside the state in 'our quest to attain to our vision that the state is private sector friendly.'

He commended the efforts of the Niger State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture for its consistency in organising the yearly event.