Governor Willie Obiano

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra on Friday said that the state attracted investment worth $2.4 billion (N472 billion) in the past 18 months.

The governor disclosed this during a courtesy visit and bell ringing at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos.

Obiano said that the state government had embarked on several initiatives and strategies aimed at increasing investment and revenue generation.

He said that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) currently stood at N1.3 billion, adding that there were plans to increase the monthly IGR to N3 billion.

Obiano said that it had completed arrangement to repackage business outfits in the state to make them more attractive to be listed on the nation’s bourse.

He said that the state had established an investment outfit where investment discussions could be finalised in a one stop shop within one week.

The governor added that tax incentives would be given to companies that would indicate interest to invest in the state.

He stated that the state had established an outfit called Anambra State Investment and Promotion Agency (ANSIPA) to fasten investment opportunities.

The governor said that ANSIPA was a special purpose vehicle established to facilitate the industrialisation process of the state through helping prospective entrepreneurs to overcome the hurdles of infrastructure and land title.

“It is a one stop investment outfit, so if you want to invest in Anambra State, you don’t need to go to 10 places, just come to the outfit and discuss your business.

In that outfit, where you will get your land is there, where you will get your C of O all within one week and life is a lot easy doing business that way,” Obiano said.

He, however, solicited the support of the exchange to encourage listed companies to come and invest in the state.

Obiano said that the state was one of the safest to invest in currently, adding that investors all over the world should embrace its investment window.

“We have zero kidnapping and no armed robbery cases so we are asking people to come and enjoy their fund in an enabling environment.” he said.

He added that the government’s economic blueprint centered on agriculture, trade, commerce and oil and gas.