(Abuja)
The Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority(NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba,has tasked staff and clients of the agency to join hands for expedited economic recovery of the nation.
This is contained in a statement signed and made available to Duaglobalnews by Martins Odeh, Head Corporate Communications NEPZA on Saturday.
Addressing the officials of the agency while on a visit to the Kano Free Trade Zone, Adesugba also challenged the staff to make the zones fully functional.
He said: “NEPZA is key to national economic revival, job creation and Nigeria’s successful outing under the incoming AfCFTA regime.
“I have gone round the various factories and I have seen how vibrant the enterprises are despite,the pandemic and funding constraints.
“We all see great products the factories are producing, strenghtening our hopes that NEPZA is indeed a strong platform to enhancing the manufacturing capacity of the nation and widening of its export potentials.
“The opportunities and potential are huge.
“With several economic zones all over the country, Nigeria has the capacity to prepare its manufacturing sector for the challenges of AFCTA.
” The zone as we have seen, presents a functional model to be capitalised upon to grow the economy, to create wealth and engage our teeming youths.
” The model has helped several countries to grow and also seize the opportunity created by the Federal Government of Nigeria in establishing these Special Economic Zones,” he said.
Adesugba also told the management team that “It is time to make the economic zones truly functional by serving as true investors’ service professionals. We must assist investors, both those already on site and those that will be coming,” he said.
He, however, warned,” we must not scare investors with over -regulation. We must in real sense act more like facilitator than regulator.
“Our job is to support the businesses in the zones ; We should never constitute hindrance on the path of investors.
” We plead with our sister agencies to understand the free tax and free import duty principle behind all free zones worldwide. Nigeria should not be different or else we become less competitive.
” The Ease of Doing Business Policy of the Federal Government is clear on all these” , the Managing Director stressed.
Adesugba, who commended the investors for patronising the zones, assured them that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was determined to deploy the economic zones as a vehicle for accelerated economic growth.
He noted, ” we are open for business and our zones are set for critical innovations for investors services”
Responding on behalf of staff, the General Manager, Kano Free Zone, Hajia Ya Gana Hassan, reaffirmed the readiness of her team to beef up management services, to facilitate more investment and satsify those already on the site.
She also intimated her boss with the overview of the zone, including the achievements as well challenges.
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