Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has expressed the readiness of the Abia Government to partner with the Bulgarian Government toward enhancing trade and agriculture in the state.
Otti made this known on Monday when he met with the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Nigeria, Amb. Yanko Yordanov, in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
He said that he was impressed with the sectors of the state’s economy, which the Bulgarian Government indicated interest to assist Abia Government to develop.
He reaffirmed the willingness of the State Government to partner with the Bulgarian Government on a variety of areas, especially in trade and agriculture.
He said, “I am very happy in the areas that you have chosen to intervene and support us.
“Food is everything and there’s no important security you will be talking about without talking about food security.”
He said that the state was blessed with arable land and agricultural products, such as cocoa, oil palm, rubber and maize, among others which, according to him, provide good investment opportunities.
Otti said that with the use of improved seedlings, better technology and training, the agricultural sector of the state would record significant advancement.
“We are luckily blessed with good vegetation and naturally we produce a lot of food.
“I believe that with improved seedlings and better technology and, of course, the training you talked about, there is no better time to come to us than now we are still at the drawing table,” he said.
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Otti also said that the government was desirous to build a trade partnership with Bulgaria to enable it to access the European market.
“I believe that this is the time we should begin to look at it as a serious business.
“We are happy and willing to work with you at any level that you want to make a success out of the land God has blessed us with and all products that can come out of it,” he said.
The governor further reaffirmed his commitment in making deliberate efforts to deliver good governance to Abia people.
He said that the government was very serious and focused on impacting the lives of the people of the state.
“The government we have in Abia right now is a very serious government.
“We are focused on delivering good governance to our people.
“And good governance speaks to welfare, it speaks to healthcare delivery, it speaks to education critically and, of course, security and economic wellbeing of the people.
“And we are single-minded in delivering those to our people,” Otti said.
Earlier, Yordanov said that the Bulgarian Government was desirous to collaborate with the Abia Government to contribute to the enhancement of agriculture, economy, education and human capital resource in the state.
“In more concrete terms, the project we wish to bring to your attention will be offering comprehensive understanding about the need to develop not only economic ties but also the people to people exchange,” he said.
Yardanov further said that the proposed partnership comes with a training support package in agricultural technology and improved trade ties that would give the state access to the European market.
The Ambassador said: “Abia is widely known as a state where all the opportunities exist.
“This is why my country and private investors desire to collaborate and develop partnership with Your Excellency.
