Edo courts global investors at China’s Belt and Road summit, targets new FDI inflows`

Edo courts global investors at China’s Belt and Road summit, targets new FDI inflows`

Edo State has reaffirmed its commitment to attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthening international economic partnerships following its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Summit held in Beijing, China.

The high-level investment forum, themed “Industrial Economic Development for Belt and Road Countries,” brought together government officials, economists, development experts, and private sector leaders from over 20 countries to explore opportunities in trade, industrialisation, technology transfer, infrastructure development, and sustainable economic growth.

The Edo State delegation was led by the Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment, Hon. Omoh Anabor, alongside the Commissioner for Power, Hon. Paul Usenbo. Delivering the goodwill message of Governor Monday Okpebholo, Anabor reiterated the administration’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation with China and other international partners as part of its broader strategy to accelerate development and attract investment into the state.

According to him, the summit provided a strategic platform for knowledge exchange, partnership building, and the identification of investment opportunities capable of driving long-term economic growth across participating countries.

He noted that Edo State is actively positioning itself to benefit from global partnerships that can support industrial expansion, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and employment generation.

“Edo State remains open for business and committed to creating an enabling environment for investors. We see international partnerships as critical to unlocking the state’s vast economic potential and driving sustainable development,” Anabor stated.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Power, Paul Usenbo, reaffirmed the state government’s support for initiatives that promote industrial growth, sustainable development, and strategic collaborations, stressing that such partnerships are essential to achieving long-term economic transformation.

The summit featured presentations from leading international experts, including Mo You, Senior Economist at the China Centre for Promotion of SME Development; Yin Xiaonmeng, Division Chief at China’s Ministry of Commerce; and Sharifzoda Ibrahim Hasan, Chief Specialist in the Department of Digital Economy at the Agency of Innovation and Digital Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Discussions centred on expanding trade opportunities, facilitating investment flows, accelerating digital transformation, and promoting industrial development among Belt and Road countries. Participants also examined strategies for strengthening cross-border economic cooperation and enhancing competitiveness in emerging markets.

Edo State’s participation underscores the Okpebholo administration’s determination to position the state as a preferred destination for investment and a key player in global economic partnerships.

The invitation to the summit followed a competitive selection process involving all 36 states of the federation, with Edo emerging as one of the few states chosen to participate in the prestigious international forum.