Osun to host US trade delegation

30.06.2009

A United States trade delegation is expected in Osun State before the end of the year. This was the outcome of a meeting the state governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who is currently on a working visit to the United States, had with a business community at the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in Philadelphia, United States.

According to a statement by the Press Secretary to the governor, Kayode Oladeji, the delegation, which was expected to be led by Stanley Straughter, who is the chairman, Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, would explore ways of partnering with the state government in the areas of hospitality, tourism, health, education, infrastructural development, among others.

Speaking, Prince Oyinlola told the business community the determination of his administration to complete the airport project and as well to get the first phase of the free trade zone commenced manufacturing in next few months.

While promising not to compromise his resolve in industralising the state, the governor, at the South Jersey Port Corporation which handles 85 per cent of America ‘s cocoa importation, urged the company to partner with the state in the area of cocoa development.

He said as the third largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria, the state would continue to improve on its existing 66,000 metric tonnes of cocoa production.

Those who accompanied Prince Oyinlola included the national vice chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (South West) Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo and the Action Congress (AC) Minority Leader in the state House of Assembly, Honourable Timothy Owoeye.