Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Seeks More Investments From India

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, weekend, received India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ajjanpor Ghanashyan during which he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening trade relationship with investors from the country.

The Governor, who received Ghanashyan in his office at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, assured of his determination to further strengthen trade with the country, adding that, he

has created an Office of the Overseas Affairs and Investment, which under his supervision, will make the state more investor-friendly and safer.

“We have established Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, so that we can strengthen bilateral relationship. We need more investors to come into Lagos so that we can create employment and grow our GDP. Whatever it is you think we can do to increase investors from India, we are ready to talk,” he said.

Ambode expressed his appreciation to the visitors saying that Lagos could draw inspiration from India as a modern democracy and from the way the economy was conducted despite its huge population. He, therefore, assured the High Commissioner that the state is ready to expand its frontiers to accommodate investors willing to set up their businesses in the state.

“We are in dire need of a platform that allows for food security since this would further towards making robust achievement at transforming the lives of residents of the state, improve the economy of the State, increase the internally generated revenue, IGR, and translate to further employment opportunities for our unemployed youths,” the Governor said.

Ambode identified software technology, manufacturing as well as Agro and Agro-allied sectors as possible areas where such bi-lateral relations could be strengthened. He assured India investors of a safe, conducive and investor-friendly environment.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Ajjanpor Ghanashyan expressed the willingness of his country to partner with Lagos as it is the economic hub of Nigeria as well as home to many India investments.

He explained that the purpose of his visit was to invite Governor Ambode to address a delegation of 150 businessmen that would visit Lagos in the coming weeks on a mission to seek ways to strengthen bilateral trade between India and Lagos State.