Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna state on Saturday promised to pay special attention to non-oil exports to open up new frontiers for economic growth and development.
The governor, who spoke at the opening ceremony of this year’s Kaduna International Trade Fair, challenged local and international investors to take advantage of that stance to invest into the new resolve.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Mr Shehu Balarabe, the governor said that the 37th Trade Fair would create an environment to explore new markets, create and sustain better understanding among nationalities.
While challenging corporate bodies to evolve new ideas, he said the state government had also proposed one modern market for every town in the state to open business opportunities for rural dwellers.
El-Rufai noted that the theme of the trade fair, “Promoting solid minerals sector for sustainable economic development”, was to emphasise the state’s resolve to resuscitate that industry in the state.
He said that various industries were being revived, and identified the Ikara tomato processing company as one firm that roared back to life.
He said that many local and foreign investors were willing to partner with the state government to get more companies working, and promised never to disappoint such investors.
The governor said that the state government had expended substantial amount toward developing its inland dry port to ease clearing of goods, and promised to invest more to boost economic activities. (NAN)