By Israel Joel ,Jos
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong and his Cross River counterpart Ben Ayade on Monday were at the French Embassy in Abuja to meet with Ambassador Jerome Pasquier and some investors from France who are on a visit to the two States to discuss areas of investment particularly in potatoes production and value chain development.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Lalong recalled his visit to the Ambassador in January this year where they discussed wide areas of cooperation and investment.

Our correspondent reports that during the discussions in January , Lalong had intimated the envoy of the vast potentials in agriculture, solid minerals, tourism and education, asking the Ambassador to facilitate investors into Plateau from his country.

He expressed happiness that despite the COVID-19 restrictions, the Ambassador has been able to facilitate the visit of the investors who have come to the country to look at the agricultural investment opportunities in Plateau and Cross River States on behalf of some clusters of the business community in France.

The Governor reminded the Ambassador that the Plateau Investment and Economic Summit is coming up next month and is expected to further unlock the economic opportunities of the State and woo investors to bring in their resources and create jobs.

The French Ambassador to Nigeria assured the Governors that the two investors were in the country specifically to look at agricultural opportunities in areas of potato farming, preservation and marketing and well as exotic crops and flowers that are in high demand around the world. He said more linkages were being arranged to ensure that the relationship is beneficial to both parties.

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Earlier, Governor Lalong had granted audience to the investors at the Governor’s lodge, Asokoro where he told them that the potato value chain programme of the State is on course and the partnership of the private sector is needed.

A statement signed by Simon Macham ,the director of press and public affairs to Governor Lalong and made available to our correspondent reads that investors are expected to visit Plateau State for further engagements.