South Africa To Build Consulate In Owerri … As Imo Business Community Counts Benefits Of Zuma’s Visit

By CHIKA CHIMEZIE

The Imo business community under the aegis of the Imo Economic Development Initiative has described the visit of the South African President, Jacob Zuma, as a major boost to the economic blueprint of the State.

A key member of the business community and Chairman of the Germaine Group,  Chief Jerry Chukwueke, told in an exclusive interview to our reporter that the benefits accruable from the visit far out weighs the cost and whatever troubles the state government went through to host President Zuma.

According to him,  there was robust engagement between the business community South African delegation led by the President,  where mutual agreements where reached in the power and gas sector,  agriculture and hospitality industry, which will go a long way to help actualize the vision of the group,  which is to revive the economy of the state and create employment for the youths.

He disclosed further that,  “as part of the outcome of our engagements,  the South African President has approved the setting up of a Consulate in Owerri and this means that people travelling to South Africa from the Southeast can process their Visas and other related business documents directly in Owerri with much ease.

“Again the President has also approved the establishment of a Payment Center in Imo State,  where all business payments are made and credit card obtained, which can be used d for business transactions in South Africa.  You can imagine the volume of Internally Generated that will accrue to the state and the number of jobs that will be created”.

The business mogul,  also revealed that the South African President in the course of the engagement with the business community,  which included renowned businessmen like Pascal Dozie, Chairman Diamond bank,  Chief Leo Stan Eke, Chairman Zinox Computer and  Former INEC Chairman Maurice Iwu among  others, agreed on a partnership between the South African Airline and Imo International Cargo Airport.

“We have as a matter of fact set up a ten-man Committee made up of five people from each side and we will be having our first meeting next month in South Africa.  We are looking forward to further engaging the South African government to see how we can harness their huge expertise in agriculture, minning and the automotive industry.  So like I side,  the benefit of the visit is far more than the cost “, he stressed. Daylight.ng