Lagos is set to host the best Economic Summit, says Akabueze

Chairman of the Lagos Economic Summit Group, the organising committee of the 6^th Lagos Economic Summit (EHINGBETI 2012), Mr. Ben Akabueze, on Sunday assured local and international delegates and prospective investors that all necessary arrangements to ensure the successful hosting of this year’s economic summit have been put in place.

Briefing newsmen at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, venue of the summit, Akabueze who doubles as the State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, also said this year’s economic summit would be the best, assuring prospective investors of the enormous investment opportunities that abound in Lagos State.

‘‘We are as prepared as we can be. We’ve planned very well; we’ve planned carefully, we’ve put the necessary things in place and we believe that we will have the best economic summit so far,’’ he said.

The Commissioner who revealed that a number of international key speakers and delegates had arrived ahead of the Summit which holds from today (Monday) to Wednesday, added that the Summit would focus on four key sectors namely Power, Agriculture and agro-allied, Transportation as well as Housing and urban renewal (PATH).

He explained that massive investments in these four sectors would serve as the springboard for the overall development and growth of the economy of the state on one hand and the nation as a whole. ‘’Each of these sectors serves as an enabler for all other sectors of the Nigerian economy because anything that touches on power, food security, transportation and housing definitely affects the generality of the people’’, he declared.

Akabueze said further that the theme of the Summit, ‘’From BRICS to BRINCS:Lagos Holds the Key’’ was most appropriate because of the strategic position of Lagos State as the commercial and economic nerve centre of not only Nigeria, but the African sub-region.

On the gains of the past summits, he stated that substantial investments had been attracted to the state as a result of EHINGBETI, stressing that the biennial Summit has remained a veritable platform for the generation of new ideas, new relationships and ultimately new investments.

SIGNED

HAKEEM BELLO

SPECIAL ADVISER TO HE (MEDIA)