Director General, Bayelsa State Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA), Ms. Freda Murray-Bruce, has announced plans by the state government to host its first Investment and Economic Forum (BSIEF) in Yenagoa between16th and18th of July, 2014.
According to her, the forum with the theme “Unlocking Bayelsa State’s Economic Potentials: Opportunities and Challenges” will focus on wealth creation, sustainable business growth and success within the West African sub-region.
She informed that an official website is and email has been created for easy flow of information. “We are committed to this project. The investment and economic forum is intended to serve as a platform for Bayelsans, Nigerians and the world-at-large to convene, discuss and collaborate towards building the economy of the State as well contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.
She noted that the state was ripe for business, stressing that her agency was committed to ensuring that the state overcomes those challenges that had impeded the growth of indigenous businesses as well as create a sustainable economic climate.
Ms. Freda Murray-Bruce outlined some of the investment potentials of the state including fish-farming, rice-production, cassava, sugar cane, cocoa, salt mines and others, that are vital for sustainable economic growth.
She said the state is currently intensifying its efforts at becoming a major player in the thriving oil and gas industry, adding that, government was equally taking relevant steps to tap its clay, salt, sand, gravel, lead, zinc deposits that are also abound in the state.
The forum, Ms Murray-Bruce emphasized, will address the economic challenges facing investors approaching the state, pointing out that the state offers unique platform for researchers, policy makers, development partners and global investors to discuss investments in Nigeria with key government agencies.
The DG disclosed that BSIEF will be staged annually as a leading platform for discussions on investments, used the occasion to call relevant stakeholders like entrepreneurs, banks and other financial institutions, ICT companies, petrochemical industries, mobile payments and technology based companies to support the forum.