Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta said on Tuesday in Asaba that the state government would partner Swiss companies and investors to grow its economy.

Okowa said this when the Swiss Consular-General, Yves Nicolet, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba.

He said that measures were being instituted to ease the process of doing business in the state.

The governor said that the state government already had a bill before the state House of Assembly to establish an Investment Development Agency.

He explained that the agency, when established, would liaise with the private sector, embassies and investors the world over, to utilise the investment opportunities and grow the state’s economy.

“We will soon establish the Delta State Investment Development Agency, the amendment bill of which is before the house of assembly and will be passed within the next few weeks.

“The agency will liaise with the organised private sector, embassies and investors from around the world to improve bilateral and investment relationship in the state.

“I want to commend you for the visit and to also assure you that Delta State was ready to partner with Swiss companies and investors to develop its economy.”

The governor described the state as the economic hub of the South-South region with the best enabling investment environment.

He said that the state had already embarked on the diversification of its economy through the agriculture sector.

Okowa said that government had engaged commercial farmers and other farmers to anchor the marketing of the state’s produce.

He expressed the hope that in a few years, farmers would act as a pivot to aggregate the state’s output, export the produce, improve revenue, and the life of the peasant farmers.

Earlier, the Swiss consular-general said that the purpose of the visit was to explore the economic potentials of the state.

He explained that the Swiss Government was interested in improving its bilateral trade relationship with Nigeria and diversify its investments to other states besides from Lagos. (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Okowa.