The Edo State government, supported by GIZ SEDIN, held a technical session on Thursday, synergizing on the Edo State One-Stop Investment Centre (ES-OSIC) with the aim of streamlining investment processes and attracting more businesses to the state.
During the event, Kelvin Uwaibi, Managing Director of the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), emphasised the importance of the ES-OSIC in driving the state’s economic development.
He said: “This one-stop-shop is a crucial tool for attracting and retaining investors. By simplifying the investment process, we can create a more favourable business environment and stimulate job creation”.
In a presentation, Adejumobi Fashola, an expert in One-Stop-Shop initiatives, highlighted the concept of One-Stop Investment Centres and shared experiences from other countries. He provided insights on successful models and lessons learned, noting that the services of a one-stop-shop include providing relevant information, licensing and approvals, and facilitation.
Osahon Okoh, a policy advisor with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), also spoke on GIZ work on ease of doing business and investment facilitation in Edo State.
The event brought together heads of ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as local government officials, to discuss their roles in supporting the ES-OSIC. The centre is expected to play a critical role in mitigating the bureaucratic process of meeting business requests and enabling the business environment of the state.
The Edo State One-Stop-Investment Centre, located at the Secretariat Block-B, Sapele Road, Benin City, is a centralised hub where investors can access various government services related to business registration, permits, and approvals. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce the time and cost of doing business in Edo State, thereby improving investor confidence and fostering economic growth.
