As part of his efforts to boost agriculture and improve technological expertise of artisans in Ekiti State, the State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has travelled to Guangzhou, China to attend the 119th China Import and Export Fair otherwise known as the Canton Fair between April 14 and 19.
The governor has only travelled out of the country twice since he assumed office in October 2014 and this trip to China, which was projected six months ago, will be his third trip outside Nigeria.
Unlike President Mohammadu Buhari’s trip to China that is aimed at borrowing $2 billion, Governor Fayose’s trip to China is aimed at seeking partnership with prospective Chinese Investors and technical experts without committing the State to any loan.
Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, who made this known in a release issued in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, said the governor will hold talks with prospective investors in mechanised farming, experts in skill acquisition, particularly training in the area of perfect finishing in building construction as well as experts in auto-repairs modern technologies.
The Canton Fair, which is held biannually in Guangzhou every spring and autumn, with a history of 59 years since 1957 attracts various types of business activities such as economic and technical cooperations and exchanges.
In its ongoing efforts in diversification of the economy of the State, Ekiti State is scheduled to hold an Agricultural Summit in May, as part of the government’s efforts to revive agriculture and make it the mainstay of the economy of the State.
Olayinka said apart from scheduled bilateral talks on Agriculture, Governor Fayose will also take advantage of the Canton Fair to hold talks with technical experts on training and technological exchange programmes for artisans in the State as part of his plan to get technical support for the proposed Artisans Village to be built in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.
The governor’s spokesperson emphasised that he (Governor Fayose) will only be seeking for partnership with prospective Chinese Investors and technical experts without committing the State to any loan.
