President Buhari, business community proffer ways to woo investors at KEIS

President Muhammadu Buhari joined a team of investors and potentials in Katsina to woo investors into the state while assuring that Federal government will work closely with private sector in a bid to advance the course of growth and development of the country.

The president made this known on May 10, 2016 when he declared the Katsina State Economic and Investment Summit open. He enjoined the private sector to be the driving force and largest investor in redirecting the nation’s path to industrialization and economic growth.

According to the president, special incentives like the provision of tax holidays and infrastructure must be provided to stimulate the preparedness of the private sector towards investing in and repositioning the country for sustainable growth and development.

He said, “I still remain committed to my campaign pledges to bring all resources to end poverty and corruption as well as enhancing investment opportunities in our country and creating jobs. I hold myself to my campaign promises,” he said.

He urged Katsina state government to be mindful of environmental damage, saying government must ensure that the environment is safe for the convenience of both the investors and the host community.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari in his address said the summit was aimed at re-framing the economic challenges of the state with a view to reassessing the delivery-mechanisms so as to meet up with demands and aspirations of the citizenry.

“We are humble enough to realize that we could not do it all by ourselves, no matter how hard we try. Looking from within only identifies, clarifies and simplifies our challenges; not necessarily meet them. We realized that we can only go so far alone; and no more. That is why we called on investing community, local and global to join us in this enormous but highly rewarding undertaking.”
One of the Speakers and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote insisted that the government of the state should create a conducive business environment and provide infrastructure for entrepreneurs, stating that with that in place, government need not shop for investors as they will come in their droves.

One of the largest investors in Katsina and part sponsors of KEIS, Dana Group, also highlighted the advantages of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) stating that it will serve as a win-win for both investors and community, emphasizing that Dana Steel’s CSR initiative in Katsina is worthy of emulation by potential investors.

Group Managing Director/CEO Dana Group, Mr. Jacky Hathiramani, in an interview with newsmen in Katsina, said that the company has some key CSR programs it uses to touch the lives of its host community with the free maintenance and repairs it carries out for Katsina State Water Board at Dana Steel's facility located in the heart of Katsina State.

He also said that the Dana Steel Housing Estate currently has a school for the indigent in the state where payment of the very minimal tuition fee doesn't really matter. The most important thing is for the students to attend classes’’

Commenting further, Mr Jacky said, ‘’our Bore hole projects in Katsina and across the country are just a few tips for potential investors who may want to tow the line of Dana Steel and tap into the investment potentials and opportunities available in the state’’

Dana Steel situated in the heart of Katsina; is the only producer of hard drawn and annealed wire product in Nigeria. Birthed in 2005 in line with Government's privatization initiative, Dana Steel has over 450 workers in its employ with a capacity to employ 1,000 workers directly and 25,000 indirectly.