TheCable

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, highlighted the enormous investment opportunities in Lagos during a session with some Swiss investors in Geneva, on Monday.

The APC candidate met with investors ahead of the World Economic Forum holding in Davos, Switzerland, from Tuesday to Friday.

At the session at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the business interaction triggered commitments of $5bn investment in infrastructure and capital projects in the state and also provided an avenue for Sanwo-Olu to further reinforce the investment opportunities in the state.

According to a statement issued by Sanwo-Olu’s campaign, the investors comprising commodity traders, equity managers, investment bankers, infrastructure builders, international donors, energy and power companies unanimously agreed that Lagos is fertile ground for investments.

“There is progressive leadership and stability in the governance of Lagos State since 1999. The state has been under the administration of a party, my party, which is the All Progressives Party for more than 16years. The state has remained a reference point for infrastructural development and economic prosperity in Nigeria and West Africa,” Sanwo-Olu was quoted to have said.

“On investors’ protection, I think that should be the least of your worries. Lagos has a comprehensive regulation that protects and shields investors. The scope of the regulation covers disputes resolution and commitment to ease of doing business.”

Earlier in his speech, Sanwo-Olu informed the investors about his determination to transform Lagos into a 21st century economy.

“Lagos economy is adjudged to be the 5th largest in Africa and is not yet a 24-hour economy, where you can do every transaction round-the-clock, do you think we have really maximized the potentials of that economy?” he reportedly asked.

“We are saying it is a large and growing economy, and you are not playing in it yet. This THEME agenda beyond being the focus areas of our government, it is also indicative of areas of possible collaboration between you and our government.

“Like I said, Transportation & Traffic Management, Health & Environment, Education & Technology, Making Lagos a 21st century economy and Entertainment & Tourism are the topline agenda our government will pursue upon election in 2019.”