The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in line with its Nationwide Sub-National tour across the thirty-six states and the FCT has held a Private Sector Stakeholders Engagement Town Hall Meeting in Owerri the Imo State Capital.
The Sub-National tour which brought together key government officials and relevant private sector stakeholders seeks to ascertain the State’s performance in the ease of doing business and business enabling reforms through the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER).
While declaring the event open, the Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma represented by the State Deputy Governor Dr.Ihuoma Chinyere Ekomaru enumerated the achievements and reforms orchestrated by the governor that have simplified conducting business within the state and created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
She pointed out that initiatives such as the digitalization of the Ministry of Lands and business registration, facilitating access of over N1.48 Billion Naira Federal Government loans for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Prioritisation of efficiency and transparency through the Imo State Investment Promotion Agency (ISIPA) massive road construction and rehabilitation, urban and rural electrification, upgrade of the Imo airport to an International Cargo airport as well as effectively tackling the menace of insecurity has greatly liberalized business climate within the state.
Mr Gabriel Ohiemi, PEBEC South East Team Leader in his opening remarks noted that the PEBEC Nationwide tours aims at engaging government and stakeholders at the state level to encourage an enabling business environment for MSME, domestic and foreign investors.
Speaking also, PEBEC reforms leader Oluwatofunmi Odnnfami provided a detailed overview of the SABER program, highlighting its role in driving reforms aligned with national administrative guidelines stressing the importance of stakeholder interface, group learning, and awareness campaigns to improve state-level business performance.
Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Dr. Chuck Chukwuemeka while reiterating the state’s commitment to fostering a conducive business climate noted that the state’s achievements in streamlining business processes across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) has yielded notable results and provided enabling opportunities for investors . He expressed his optimism that these reforms will boost the state ranking and place it amongst the top five states where it is easiest to do business.
The event featured two key sessions: a technical session with relevant government officials, PEBEC team as well as the SABER DLI structures while the second session featured an interactive engagement and Questions and Answer session with the PEBEC Team, private sector stakeholders and Imo State government officials, including the Commissioners for Digital Economy and E-Government Dr. Amadi, Trade Commerce and Investment Mr.Rex Anunobi, Power and Electrification Dr. Nwachukwu Oguchienti, DG ISIPA Prof.Jude Nzeako Chairman Imo Internal Revenue Service Mr. Justus Okoye.
Also present at the event were the Hon. Commissioners for Works and Infrastructure Development, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Acting Attorney General of the state, Civil Society Organizations, All Farmers Association,Traditional Rulers and other relevant Stakeholders.
Signed
Anurunwa, Chika.
PIPRO.
FIC Owerri
