One of the leading paper manufacturers in China has expressed interest in partnering with the Ogun State Government in sourcing raw materials for its product from the Gateway State. Dr Song Yuantang, Party Secretary of the Liaochen City of Shandong Province of China stated this during talks with Governor Gbenga Daniel who is at the head of a Government economic delegation to China. He said based on information  supplied to him by business men and officials of the City who visited Ogun State to explore business and economic opportunities , the Gateway  State provides a rich source of raw materials for many industries in Liaochen, one of China’s most developed cities. He told the Governor that the City of about six million people has one of the largest paper, heavy duty vehicles and aluminum industries in the World and express the readiness of businessmen from Liaochen to establish industries in Ogun State especially given the growing cooperation among business leaders and government officials from both sides. He said one of the City’s auto firms was working with the Lee Group in the area of provision of heavy duty vehicles and equipment for a cement manufacturing firm that is undergoing development in Ogun State. He said based on the support the Government of Otunba Daniel had given to his countrymen who had already established industries in some of the State industrial zones more would be encouraged to join them since Ogun State had become a model for economic cooperation, good business practices and its government forward looking and focused on development of its people and environment.

Governor Daniel in his remark said he was elated that that the friendly and economic cooperation between Ogun State and some key provinces in China was yielding positive fruits which are already benefiting people from both sides of the divide. He assured the Chinese officials that Ogun had what it takes to meet the raw material need of the paper industry given the abundance of trees from which paper pulps are made. The Governor who had earlier visited the Heavy vehicle manufacturing firm that had already supplied the Lee Group 150 units advised that given the quantity of vehicles that would be supplied in the course of the development of the cement manufacturing firm it would be necessary for vehicle manufacturers to establish its maintenance and assembly plant in Ogun State, a suggestion the party secretary said would be given positive consideration.  

Quin Chuanbin  who also spoke on behalf of the City Government assured the Governor that all the discussion and agreement on economic cooperation would be followed up to logical conclusion especially since businessmen from the city who are operating in Ogun State had brought back good tidings of support and friendly operating environment.

 .... AND  OGUN, CHINESE PROVINCE SET UP BUSINESS COUNCIL

The Shandong Province of China and Ogun State of Nigeria have established a joint business Council to further consolidate the growing economic relationship between them. The Council which will be based in Abeokuta the Ogun State Capital and Jinan in Shandong would fast track business and economic activities between investors and industrialists from both entities. The main task is to select and support investors and industrialists who would locate their businesses in Ogun State and create opportunities for businesses in Ogun State to benefit from China’s constantly expanding market for raw materials and related goods. The business council is one of the fruits of three day economic mission which a business delegation led by Governor Gbenga Daniel made to Shandong. During the visit relationship between Ogun State and the Shandong Province of China was consolidated with the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Friendly relationship whose vehicle would be basically economic. At the signing ceremony held in Jinan on Wednesday, August 4 , Mr. Jiang Daming , Governor of Shandong, said his province signed the protocol with Ogun State to demonstrate  the great importance it attaches to the friendly cooperation with the Gateway State and the potentials inherent in the relationship for both sides. He listed the gains of the MOU to include the fast tracking of the ongoing development of the Ogun  Shandong industrial Park , the encouragement of more enterprises from the region to join those already setting up industries there, support for Ogun state agricultural development initiatives ,perfection of the relationship through  trade missions and  cultural and educational exchanges.

Daming who was accompanied to the ceremony by his deputy, Mr. Wang Junmin,, the secretary general of the Province, Mr. Zing Wanqingh,, the Foreign Affairs secretary Ms Zhang Welling , Chairman of Shandong leading Industrial conglomerate, Mr. Li Shupeng among other officials  said his government would emphasize the economic angle because after entering into such agreements with 30 regions and states spread all over the world it has become clear that friendship cooperation between states can only become meaningful with built in mutual economic benefits. The Governor described Otunba Daniel has a man of vision who is tenacious about bringing development to his people. He said Ogun with its advantages especially its vast agricultural potentials would continue to attract attention from across the World. 

In his response after signing for the government of Ogun State, Otunba Daniel told his host that he was happy that the relationship between both states was growing by the day and expressed optimism that the Ogun Shandong Business Council which already had an office opened in Jinan would maximize the relationship and bring benefits to investors, industrialists, businesses and people from States. Governor Daniel who was accompanied to the ceremony by Ms Yosola Akinbi , economic adviser, Gboyega Isiaka ,Group Managing Director of Gateway Holdings, Mr. Lee Wenlong an industrialist currently building a major  manufacturing outlet in Ogun State asked Daming to encourage  more business men and industrialists from Shandong  to come to Ogun State as the Government was already constructing  roads leading to the Industrial  Garden and free trade zones . He reiterated his advice that the industrialists should consider investment in the power sector as this would bring sure return on investment given the dire need of the country for adequate power supply. He also said based on the protocol, Ogun should be considered first when raw materials especially those that are agriculturally based are needed in Shandong.

Governor Daniel assured his host that adequate measures and structures would be put in place to ensure the implementation of the letter and spirit of the protocol agreement.

Adegbenro Adebanjo is the Chief Press Secretary to  Governor Daniel