The Edo Government in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)’s SEDIN programme, has trained Investment Promotion liaison officers working with the state public service on exploring business opportunities.
The Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), Mr Kelvin Uwaibi, at the opening of the training said that it had become essential to train the public servants.
He says that the officers must receive training on governmental regulations pertaining to commercial activities.
“We want to give some level of seamlessness on how we deliver services to the public, especially as regards to ease of doing business.
“The State Civil service is more of a brain box to offer services to the public and it is important that the civil servants start to strengthen their service delivery to the public,” he said.
Blessing Ajimoti, The State’s Coordinator and Policy Advisor for GIZ-SEDIN, stated that the training was intended to improve the expertise of the liaison officers on the promotion of investment.
She claimed that the activity was also intended to teach them business facilitation skills.
The participants, according to Ajimoti, were chosen from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA) in order to enhance information sharing on investment prospects in the state.
She claims that the GIZ’s SEDIN programme is a Pro-poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria that aims to increase employment and revenue for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
“SEDIN is working with private and public institutions to improve business enabling environment and promote policies favouring MSMEs, employment, and local economic development.”
Earlier, Mr. Osaze Ogbomo, Head of the Ease of Doing Business Secretariat said the training was intended to foster collaboration between the various government agencies for efficient service delivery.
“We are looking at providing the right technical support they need as well as get feedback from them to better serve the private sector.
“We want our liaison officers to know about what is expected of them to improve investment in the state,” he said.
The training was tagged “Investment Promotion and Facilitation in Edo State: Improving the Business Environment for Economic Growth.”
(NAN)
