Marketing Kaduna in China

Land, labour and capital, as well as entrepreneurship, are the main factors of production and labour, before the digital age, was the most mobile of them. However, in this day and age, capital has now “grown wings”, powered by Information Communication Technology. Millions, within minutes, can now be transferred amongst individuals, within countries and across continents and other far-flung places. Investors, fund managers and business men are looking for safe havens for their money. Likewise, individuals, governments and sundry entities, are striving to attract investors, pitching in their comparative advantages.

Indeed, Governor Uba Sani has been everywhere, from Qatar, to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, to woo investors and market Kaduna State to the world. Recently, he was in China on a working visit, where he held back-to-back meetings for six days. Specifically, he met with investors, signed several MoUs and attended the China-Nigeria Economic Cooperation and Trade Conference in Beijing.

Significantly, Kaduna State and Huawei Technologies Company, at its corporate headquarters, signed an MoU on the Smart City Project. In part, the project will enhance security, efficiency and transparency in public service when concluded. Similarly, it will engender competitiveness, ensure better city management and attract investors, culminating in a safer milieu. Indeed, a joint committee will work out the details, including implementation, funding arrangements and the right technology to deploy in the project.

Likewise, the Governor met a slew of investors, spanning science and technology, as well as agricultural and other sectors, at the Beijing Trade Conference. In sum, he made case for Kaduna State, citing instances, as an investment destination of choice, where businesses thrive in a conducive environment. Indeed, the Chinese Construction Engineering Company (CCEC), in the last five years, has set shop in the state, building roads and bridges. Besides, the Governor met with CCEC management, led by its global Vice President, Micheal Jiang, for further strategic engagements. Skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour abound in Kaduna State and CCEC, the Governor reminded them, should recruit from the pool.

Significantly, with abundant mineral resources, a productive workforce and a steady economic growth, Kaduna State is an investor’s haven. Indeed, it has an arable land of 46,053 kilometres, approximating 5% of the nation’s landmass. Similarly, it is the leading producer of maize and ginger, second in tomatoes, and the third leading producer of Soya in Nigeria. Rice, Sugar cane and sorghum, including wheat and casava, are also grown in large quantities in the State. In addition, it boasts of 17 grazing reserves, suitable for livestock production. Besides, it has large deposits of gold, gemstones and tantalite, as well as columbite, manganese, lithium and nickel.

Similarly, Kaduna State is investor-friendly as the World Bank, in the year 2018, ranked it the most improved state in its Ease of Doing Business Subnational Report. Likewise, it is the gateway to the northern market and as at 2022, it was the third biggest consumer market in Nigeria, according to surveys. Besides, it is the Fourth most populous state in Nigeria.

Indeed, with these natural endowments, a huge market and a large pool of workers, coupled with Governor Uba Sani’s business-friendly policies, marketing Kaduna State in China was like preaching to the converted as Chinese companies are already there.