#AbiaOnline
by Ikechukwu Iroha
Abia State has learnt from America and China experience in terms of investments and developments . I recall Dr Ikpeazu Stated that the State’s initiative in Agriculture was drawn from interactions with Farmers in Atlanta (Everyone knows our success story on Agriculture), it therefore informs why it is necessary to bring in foreigners to jump start our local economy.
Let it be echoed, Abia is setting a global standard in Shoe making.
The coming of the Chinese billionaire Mr Huarang to Abia, will open the State up for bigger offers.
Abia has comparative and competitive advantage in the area of garment and leather making over other States in the country.
Demand drives perfection, rightly put, the demand for Aba made products has restored back confident of Aba leather and Garment makers to compete favorably with other artisans.
Let’s look at it from a wider perspective, Can such competition bring about economy of scales, Penetration into global markets and Standardization of products?
The answer is Yes and No.
Yes, We can Penetrate the global market, we can actually improve on our production both in quantities and quality…
No, because it will take us tens of years to achieve, whereas we have States that could take advantage of Foreign direct investments which could result to attention shift from Abia to such State that has an open door polity.
States are looking inwards to find out what could be used to augment revenue from the federation account. It won’t be long before States begin to send their youths to Aba to learn leather and garment making….
Why is it necessary to bring in experts to train our youths as well as increase production and distribution of Nigerian products?
Under the globalization, capital freely flows around the world and seeks highest return. It looks for a location with well established logistics network infrastructure and processes .
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a key factor in economic integration. It provides avenues for creating stable and long lasting links between economics.
Under a conducive policy environment, It can serve as a vehicle for local enterprise development and may help improve the competitive position of the host and the investor.
In addition to its positive effect in the economy of the State, FDI improves and encourages the transfer of technology and know-how between economics.
From the above reasons, it will benefit an Aba shoe maker to move from manual to automated production of shoes…
Are we afraid of competition?
Competition brings out the best in any business. Customer care, packaging, quality etc tend to improve once there is healthy competition.
Is the shoe to be produced in Aba by the Chinese Companies going to be tagged Made in Aba?
Yes, I didn’t have to think it twice. I believe this little detail will clear more doubts. In Ariaria International Market where shoes are produced in thousands and millions, over ten percent of the shoe makers are from neighboring States. Aba harbours people from different places, I do not believe the Chinese are different..My opinion.
Is the shoe line going to be run by the Chinese in Aba?
The answer is No. The company is going to train 100 existing Aba shoe makers in their facility in China. These people will form the first set of Staff of the shoe factory in Aba. It therefore means, our people are going to be operating the machines and learn from the Chinese which will eventually improve the standard of shoes in Abia.
Will the coming of the Chinese open global markets?
Yes… Our products are not satisfying the Nigeria markets, with the coming of the Chinese, the addition and Publicity will open more grounds for Aba made products.
Give or take, it will take the name Aba and Abia to different countries even as the State is being mentioned and discussed right now in far away China.
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