…As Nigeria moves to strengthen foods systems at the post-Covid-19 era
Silvex International is galvanizing private sector players in the food industry, to support the realization of the proposed first Agro-Industrial Park in Kano, northwestern Nigeria.
The sector agreed to this at the just concluded 2021 Feed Nigeria Summit held in Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel Abuja.
Critical stakeholders that participated at the Summit, focused on the need to capitalize on the positive energy of the Nigerian agricultural sector to strengthen the nation’s overall Post Covid-19 economy, a statement by the Chief Operating Officer of Silvex, Abubakar Ibrahim and made available to ASHENEWS on Thursday, said.
The event with a theme ”POST COVID-19: A Repaired Food System, Pathway to a Revived Economy,” attracted key players from government and private sectors to share knowledge on the best practices in showcasing their investment plans and implementation strategies to cushion the impact of the global pandemic in Nigeria.
“It also focused on creating innovative actions to further the cause of programmes culminated in identifying relevant areas of support and trigger effective collaboration and partnership conversation between public, private and social sectors.
“At side meetings with African Development Bank, AfDB and other private investors during the Feed Nigeria Summit 2021, Silvex International galvanized supports for the proposed Agro-Industrial Park planned to be sited in Bunkure local government area of Kano, which would the first of its kind in Nigeria.
“The Project when completed, will serve as a one stop shop for all stakeholders working in the Agric value chains of the economy and has the potentials to create hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs,” the statement reads.
ASHENEWS recalls that in June 2021, Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje gave express approval for the establishment of the Agro- Industrial Park as part of the state’s contribution for achieving food sufficiency in Nigeria.
Presenting the Agro-Industrial Park to the stakeholders, the Managing Director and CEO of Silvex, Abubakar Karfi said the project will be privately driven.
He sought for supportive investments on the project from private sector players within and outside the country.
“Kano has the strategic advantage as the leading hub for aggregation and trade of major agricultural commodities, it is a favourable investment destination with security and safety and connecting infrastructures such as electricity, road networks, rail line, dry port and government policy on ease of doing business,” Karfi reiterated.
President of AfDB, Prof. Akinwumi Adesina who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Industrialization, Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Adeyinka agreed to partner with all stakeholders in supporting investment for the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Silvex International engaged the apex regional bank along with other private investors, investment brokers and commercial banks to attract business partnership for the first Agro-Industrial Park in Nigeria.
Adesina also hinted on the need for synergy between the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) currently under construction by the bank and the planned Agro-Industrial Park based in Bunkure, Kano state.
