Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has reiterated his administration’s willingness to partner the diplomatic community in Nigeria toward achieving shared prosperity in the state.
Otu gave the assurance at the maiden Cross River Governor’s Executive Roundtable organised by the Cross River government on Tuesday in Abuja.
This, according to Otu, will further strengthen established partnership between the state and the countries of diplomatic envoys through mutually beneficial relationship on long term.
Otu said: “The economies of the world are growing through interconnectivity due to globalisation, thus making room for increased opportunities and investments.
“The state is making frantic efforts to position its economy in this regard to take advantage of such corridor.
“Cross River, known as People’s Paradise is also known as People’s Economy and is one of the most flourishing states with abundant natural resources in Nigeria.
“The state’s commitment towards economic and social development, the fast growing economy reflects its strategic location with arable land suitable for variety of crops.
“The state is also endowed with beautiful mountains, hospitable people and safe spaces to grow business”.
He reassured the diplomatic community of the state government’s resolve to build on its advantages, as hot spot for tourism and business operations.
Michael Freeman, Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, promised to strengthen partnership with the state.
Freeman, also Permanent Representative of Israel to ECOWAS, said that the partnership centered on the blue economy and agriculture there.
“We are going to work on areas of rice, cassava and cocoa. We hope there are also other areas there, such as resistant seedlings, fungus resistant seedlings and drought resistant seedlings.
“We are also going to adapt to the climate and the soil that has very low salinity in Cross River.
“We will have conversation with all of the people relevant to it and find appropriate levels in the places for investment, to benefit both Israel and Cross River,” Freeman said.
