China plans truck manufacturing plant in Calabar

A Chinese trade delegation on a visit to Cross
River State has made known its intention to open
a truck manufacturing plant within the Calabar
Free Trade Zone.
The leader of the group and Deputy Mayor of
Chang Chun City, China, Mr. Gui Guangli,
disclosed this to Governor Liyel Imoke during a
courtesy call on Wednesday.
Guangli said the team had spent two days in the
state, exploring possible areas of investments,
adding that it decided to start with the
establishment of a truck plant.
The Deputy Mayor maintained that the
manufacturing company had eleven outlets across
the world including Japan, Germany and United
States. He disclosed that from their study, the
state was conducive for investments with the
presence of the airport, seaport and free trade
zone.
He noted that the truck which will be produced in
Calabar, would be of high technology and
standard, adding that volume of production will be
determined by the economic indices of demand.
Guangli said the trade mission was also intended
to invest in agriculture and pharmaceutical sectors
as a result of their further findings, saying that
China and Nigeria had an age-long relationship in
commercial activities.
In his response, Imoke commended the Chinese
Trade Mission for the decision to establish a truck
manufacturing plant in Calabar.
He noted the move would strengthen and develop
the economy of the state.
While hoping that their stay in the State would be
rewarding, Imoke said there were some Chinese
firms operating within Calabar Free Trade Zone
whose products were of high quality.
He said Cross River was one of the states with the
fastest-growing economy in Nigeria and its people
were peaceful and hospitable.
Also speking, the General Manager of Calabar
Free Trade Zone, Mr. Sadiq Kassim, said the visit
was as a result of the effort of the state
government and the zone to bring investments
into the state.
Kassim said Chang Chun City with a population of
over seven million had indicated interest to invest
in Nigeria through its chambers of commerce,
explaining that the trade mission intended to build
a truck manufacturing company within the
Calabar Free Trade Zone.
He hinted that the automobile company had the
financial capacity and technological know-how to
invest in the state, having found that the state was
conducive for foreign investments.