JSIPDC Ltd being a stakeholder in the realization of the Government’s Policy on the economic and infrastructural development of Jigawa State as well as an investment arm of the State Government was part of a delegation that met with officials of Hunan Province from the People’s Republic of China. The State’s delegation was led by His Excellency the Governor of Jigawa State, while other members included His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the Jigawa State Government, Honourable Commissioners of Commerce, Agriculture, and Water Resource, Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Governmental Affairs, Managing Director of this Company, Ag. DG Jigawa Research Institute and representative of JigawaInvest (Jigawa State Investment Promotion Agency).

On the part of Hunan Province, the delegation was led by His Excellency, Mr. Xu Dazhe, the Governor of the Province, members included Mr. Wang Qun Secretary General of the Provincial Government, Mr. Hu Zhongxiong, Mayor of the City of Changsha, Mr. Xu Xianping DG Department of Commerce, Mr. Shi Jianhui DG Department of Finance, Mr. Xu Zhengxian Foreign Affairs Office (Hunan Provincial Government) and staff of Hunan Provincial Department of Commerce, including Director of Investment Promotion, Changsha Economic Development Zone. The meeting also included the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria His Excellency Mr. Zhou Ping Jian, the Chairman of Lee Group in Nigeria Mr. Lee Sheau Fung and staff of Lee Group.

The meeting which was held at Transcorp Hotel Abuja discussed extensively on the economic potentials of the two states; Jigawa State and Hunan Province. In his introductory remarks, H.E the Governor of Hunan informed that they were in Nigeria for friendship and economic cooperation, and that this is the first time such a visit is undertaken since the establishment of a joint cooperation between Nigeria and China in 1971. Jigawa State is selected in view of its similarities with Hunan Province, being agriculturally based economy. The meeting was further informed that Hunan Province is made up of 73 million people with a GDP of US$ 530 billion and is opened up to reforms. Other highlights of the meeting are that Hunan Province is interested in investing in:

• Agricultural Sector with a plan to extend agricultural output in Jigawa State to between 13 – 15 tons per hectare, especially high breed rice production,
• Industrial Sector; in the areas of manufacture and maintenance of modern agricultural and industrial equipment,
• Research and Development in Agricultural produce, extension services etc,
• Construction, Communication and financing,
• Solar Energy,
• Import and Export of agro based products,
• Mining,
• Rail line and infrastructure,

On the part of the Jigawa State Government the meeting was informed that the State is currently the 3^rd largest producer of rice in Nigeria with a population of about 5 million people, 40% of which are between 15 – 39 years. The State has the largest portfolio of solar parks that could generate more than 2,000 MW of electricity. Other investment attractions of the State include Export Processing Zone (State Government owned), State owned Agricultural Research Institute, availability of exportable agricultural produce such as sesame seeds, hibiscus and livestock. The State is also developing an industrial park in conjunction with the Lee Group.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the two states; the Secretary to the Jigawa Sate Government signed on behalf of the Government of Jigawa State while the Director General Foreign Affairs (Overseas Chinese Affairs) Hunan Provincial Government signed on behalf of the Government of Hunan Province. The signing was witnessed by H.E the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, H.E the Governor of Hunan Province, H.E the Governor of Jigawa State and H.E the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State.

The meeting concluded with a resolution to form two technical committees that will draw up work plans, implementation strategy and follow ups to the provisions contained in the MOU signed between the two states.