By Our Correspondent
The Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture has been described as vital to the planning and management of the economy of the state.
Speaker of the Cross River State House Assembly, Hon John Lebo who made the remarks recently when a delegation of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce visited him in his office in Calabar, expressed that the Chamber played a critical role in the growth and development of the state’s economy with its activities.
Hon. Lebo observed that the State Economic Council law was being reviewed to accommodate the Organised Private Sector like the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture in recognize its injection into the economy of the state.
The Speaker said that the House of Assembly was open to inputs from the Chamber to help revitalize the economy of Cross River, adding that there was need for a synergy between the Assembly and the Chamber that would stimulate a robust relationship between both parties.
Speaking earlier, the President of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mrs. Thelma Kayode Bello said the visit became necessary to enable the Chamber and the Assembly fashion out areas of mutual assistance for the economic benefits of the state.
She observed that the Chamber was being re-positioned to better assist government in its economic and trade policy development to ensure proper regulations, policies and enabling environment for business as well as partner towards building a strong and virile economy.
Mrs. Kayode Bello reiterated the Chamber’s willingness to support the 8th Legislative Assembly and the Executive arm in efforts to economically re-invent Cross River State.
“The knowledge and contribution of the Organized Private Sector cannot be over-emphasized bearing in mind that we form the fulcrum on which the State’s economy is pivoted.
“That is why we are advocating the very strong involvement of the Organized Private Sector in Cross River State of which the Calabar Chamber is the leading player, in the legislative procedures and process especially in Business and economic related bills being enacted”, the President stated.
High points of the visit was the investiture and decoration of the Speaker as a honorary member of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture by the President Mrs. Thelma Kayode Bello who was accompanied on the visit by her Vice Arc John Etim Bassey, the Chamber’s Executive Secretary, Kenneth Asim Ita; PRO Liyel Imoukhuede; and a superlative visual presentation by Arc John Etim Bassey of the Chamber’s profile and activities which included the Chamber’s capacities to facilitate trade and attract Direct Foreign Investments into the state.