The Lagos State Government and Guangdong Province in China are set to partner on technology and the blue economy to enhance the quality of life for residents of the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, disclosed this on Friday during a courtesy visit by Mr He Rusheng, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office, People’s Government of Guangdong Province, China, to her office in Ikeja.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Salu-Hundeyin said both governments would also collaborate in areas such as culture and tourism, with the goal of boosting the state’s economy and global standing.
She added that a Memorandum of Understanding would soon be signed to facilitate significant Foreign Direct Investment in Lagos.
Salu-Hundeyin saidquoting the governor ”that anything that would promote the welfare of the economy of Lagos State and give the people better livability must always be given priority.”
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According to her, this is not the first time that a province from China is collaborating with Lagos State, and the government is willing to welcome more partnerships.
“Like Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu would say, Lagos State can be beautifully described as a state without borders, when it comes to international collaborations.
“We are willing to collaborate as long as we will have a mutual beneficial result and outcomes from the collaborations,” she said.
Speaking earlier, Rusheng, who is also the Vice President, Guangdong People Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said the delegate had visited in 2019 but because of COVID, they could not finalise the process of the partnership.
He said Lagos State played pivotal role as a gateway to African markets, and head similar economic features as Guangdong, hence, the need for the collaboration.
Rusheng urged the Lagos State Government to continue to pay more attention to and support the development of Guangdong enterprises in the state.
He called for an enabling business environment, and the acceleration of the implementation of cooperation between the two regions in more specific projects, to achieve greater economic and social development
