Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi said on Tuesday that the state free trade zone would soon commence operations to the delights of farmers, businesses, and men and women in the state.

This followed an agreement between the state government and the People’s Republic of China for the take-off of the “Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone”.

Mr Ododo disclosed this when he received a delegation of Chinese investors and consular officials led by the consul-general of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, at the government house in Lokoja.

He described the take-off as “apt and strategic. ”

The governor assured the Chinese delegation that the Kogi government and its private sector partners would ensure that all necessary infrastructure and regulatory frameworks were in place to guarantee the smooth take-off and timely completion of the project.

“We are committed to making the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone a model of industrial and economic transformation.

“Everything required for the seamless execution of this project will be provided in collaboration with our private sector partners to ensure its success,” he said.

In her remarks, Ms Yuqing announced that the government of Hunan Province was spearheading the Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone with the backing of the Chinese government.

She emphasised that Chinese investors in Nigeria have a responsibility to support and key into the project in line with the long-standing bilateral commitments between the federal government of Nigeria and China.

“The Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone is a strategic initiative that reflects the deep economic and trade ties between China and Nigeria. Our investors are eager to explore and contribute to this partnership to drive sustainable development and industrial growth,” she said.

Earlier, Inda Ali-Salami, the chief economic adviser to the Kogi government, described the free trade zone as an ambitious project that required the full commitment of the state government and its private sector partners.

Mr Ali-Salami assured the delegation that the state government team would leverage global best practices in free trade zone development to ensure the project’s success.

The governor and members of the state’s economic team had earlier visited the Chinese Consular in Lagos to woo the Chinese government to support the project as a core investor in the Free Trade Zone, setting the stage for the landmark partnership between the Kogi State and the People’s Republic of China.

The engagement had culminated in the formal agreement for the take-off of the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone, which would operate as a free trade zone.

The Chinese delegation had embarked on a strategic infrastructure tour in the Ajaokuta economic development corridor, where the zone would be situated on 3,000 hectares of land.

The delegation inspected key locations, including the Ajaokuta train station, Geregu Power Station, and ongoing gas projects, all vital for the smooth operation and development of the Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone.

(NAN)