The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has expressed satisfaction with the signing of the Executive Order No. 002 of 2024, setting up the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, saying it is the best news from government since the conclusion of the economic summit.

He said by taking this bold step the governor did not only act on the recommendations from the summit but also a show of promises that would be kept.

According to him, the first step on the rung of the ladder usually shows how far the person would go; the governor has proved that other things would be done.

He said: “We have been watching the body language of the governor and it is now turning to actions. Already, a lot of people would be aligning with this coming agency to ensure they are the frontrunners in accessing the incentives being promised to boost the ease of doing business. This has boosted our confidence that indeed, brighter days are here.”

China stated that investors were not only excited but they were also expecting that the selection process of the key persons to reflect the governor’s determination to get the economy on fast track.

The real estate success strategist stressed the need for tested and trusted bureaucrats to man the agency, and appealed to those to be selected to endeavour to hit the ground running with consultations and town-hall meetings.

“They have to be very sound, and the team leader has to mean business just as the state means business.

“They have to be round peg in round hole. They have to be people that would motivate and drive people to aspire to do more businesses in the state. Their business disposition and acumen and their accessibility to investors are what will decide the outcome.

“The state boasts of very seasoned and sound business technocrats in the past that have the passion to bring ease of doing business”, he said.

Giving tips, he urged persons to be appointed to get to work immediately and closely collaborate with the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), saying that before any investor would want invest in any place, they would want to first visit the place.

He said while the RSTDA would be putting forward the best of the state’s cultural and creative values and assets, the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency should be putting forward the best of business opportunities and incentives.

“With both of them collaborating, it should be able to bring in not just tourists but business tourists. Not only that, they will help the local business people to export what is produced in Rivers State and thus push the state to be a leading business hub which is the essence of the new agency and the vision of the state governor.”

He said there were lots of recommendations from the economic summit. “We expect that this agency will work to ensure that the recommendations are implemented.

“In addition to the summit which was a gathering of investors both local and international, I think the Investment Promotion Council should start conducting town-hall meetings, workshops and interactive workshops with local direct investors (LDIs).

“I have always said that the LDIs are the stimulants and the inviters of the foreign direct investors (FDIs), because when the locals are happy, they are the ones to invite the foreign investors who act on the experience and testimonies of the local investors.

“Also, it’s the LDIs that enter into partnerships with FDIs. It is very rare for any FDI to invest in any location without any local investors who are their foot and hands on ground.

“So, this agency would need to partner and implement most of the things that will excite the local investors that will attract foreign investors”, he said.