As part of efforts to access serious Investors for the calabar carnival, the Cross River State Investment Promotion Council and the carnival Commission tuesday resolved on a partnership that will guarantee the influx of Investors into the state for the annual calabar event.
The resolution was attained during a courtesy call on the DG Investment promotion council Barrister Tutu Ekeng by members of Cross River State carnival Commission led by it’s Executive Secretary Evangelist Austin Cobham.
Highlighting the need for synergy between both agencies, the Executive Secretary said ” We are here today seeking partnership with investment promotion bureau to access serious investors who will sustain the carnival Calabar beyond Government funding.
Continuing, He mentioned that “Brazil and Thailand as well as Nottingham carnivals are sustained by investors rather than government and that while the governor Sen. Prof Ben Ayade had been sustaining the carnival it was time to take some of this burden off the State Government”.
Responding, the DG cross River State Investment Promotion Council Barrister Tutu Ekeng thanked the delegation for their visit and reassured them that the Governor has repositioned Investment Promotion to attract and facilitate Investors into the state.
“Let me specially thank you all for this visit and I must say it has been a long time coming. Our agencies are two very important pieces of government that cannot and should not work in isolation and with this partnership we have entered into today, we are indeed poised to attract massive Investment into the state. ”
She added that ” with the set up of the ease of doing business council and the one stop shop by His Excellency, investors are ready and eager to come into the State. “
She further reiterated that ” The Carnival Calabar is known worldwide as Africas biggest street party and this has put Cross River State on the World map therefore, there is a strong need to support its sustainability.”
She lauded the executive secretary for plans to set up an arts and craft centre as well as concessioning of the carnival route adding that this would drive income to the State.
Barr Tutu assured the ES and his team of the readiness of investment promotion to partner carnival Commission on their quest to make carnival calabar self sustaining.
Other dignitaries present at the meeting include , Senior Special Assistant carnival Planning Mr Effiong Ekpenyong and Miss Liz Udie member carnival Commission.
