Kogi secures deal with China to establish free trade zone

Kogi state government says it has secured an agreement with the People’s Republic of China for the development of the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone, with the status of a Free Trade Zone.

In a statement by Ismaila Isah, special adviser on media to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, the agreement was made on Tuesday, after Ododo hosted a delegation of Chinese investors and consular officials led by Yan Yuqing, the consul general of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos.

Speaking at the meeting, the governor assured the Chinese delegation that the state government and its private sector partners would ensure that all necessary infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are in place to guarantee the smooth takeoff and timely completion of the project.  

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

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

In her remark, Yuqing said the Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone is being spearheaded by the government of Hunan Province with the backing of the Chinese government.

She added 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. 

Also speaking, Inda Salam, chief economic adviser to Kogi state, described the free trade zone as an ambitious project that demands the full commitment of the state government and its private sector partners.

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

According to the statement, the Chinese delegation embarked on a tour of strategic infrastructure in Ajaokuta, where the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone will be situated on 3000 hectares of land in the Ajaokuta economic development corridor.