The Edo State Government has pledged  continuous support for businesses operating in the state especially the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) so as to make the state a preferred investment destination for investors.

The pledge was made by the Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO)-Ease of Doing Business Secretariat, Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi at a workshop organized by ESIPO in support of GIZ-SEDIN to review the draft compendium of investment incentives which was held in Benin City recently.

Emphasizing the importance of the workshop, Uwaibi reiterated the state Government’s unwavering commitment to support Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Edo State.

According to him, “in terms of programme collaboration, we are very keen to ensuring that Edo State is the preferred destination for investors and in doing that, His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki has already approved certain laws and policies that will improve the business environment in the State. For us in Edo State, the aim is to see that the state is the preferred destination for investors”

He added that the compelling need to have a compendium of investment incentives in order to make the process of doing business in the state seamless and attractive to potential investors has necessitated the workshop.

He said: ” It is to be able to harmonize our incentives. Yes, we do have incentives. But what we are doing right now is to ensure that they are properly documented. That is why we are having this workshop with the various MDAs”

In her speech, Edo State Coordinator, GIZ-SEDIN, Blessing Ajimoti, said the effort is part of the GIZ Pro-Poor Growth and Promotion Programme in Nigeria to strengthen the MSMEs, adding that the workshop is basically meant to review the recommendations on investment and business incentives which is a necessary tool to promote the growth of MSMEs in the state.

The team lead, Ease of Doing Business, ESIPO, Mr. Osaze Ogbomon also gave a presentation, noting that the incentives covers transport environment, tourism, health among others which will form a working document when adopted and it will be published online including the State Government’s website where it could be assessed by potential investors and all.

The various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government were represented at the workshop to review the draft compendium of investment incentives.