ABIA TO PARTNER WITH THAILAND Abia state government says it is ready to partner with Thailand to explore bilateral investment opportunities between them. Governor Theodore Orji stated this at the government house, Umuahia when he met with the Royal Thai commercial counselor in Nigeria, Mr.Boon Intiratana who paid him a courtesy visit with the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA). The governor advised the counselor to look round the state and ascertain areas of interest for investment. According to him the state boasts of large human and material resources adding that apart from Lagos, Aba remains the commercial nerve centre of the country. He described Igbos as very industrious and assured the counselor of adequate security of their investment in the state. Chief Orji stated that Thailand is noted forrice production, which he said has helped in feeding Nigerians and pointed out that a major problem confronting Aba is power supply. He however stated that the federal government is addressing the problem with the building of NIPP power plant in Aba which is being complemented by theGeometric power plant at Osisioma. The governor used the forum to commend ACCIMA for the role it was playing in promoting trade and pledged to continue to assist the chamber. In his speech, Mr Intiratana said the purpose of his visit was to see business and commercial opportunities that exist in Abia state and how to promote bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Thailand. He said that his country is interested in agriculture especially rice production andfood processing, electricity generation, tourism, as well as in construction and transportation and invited the governor to send a private mission to Thailand in May this year for an international food fair and the Nigeria – Thailand business forum. Earlier, the president of ACCIMA, chief Eleanya Okoroji said ACCIMA is striving on its noble functions of attracting foreign investments to Abia state ,adding that theThai commercial counselor is in Abia under their invitation to interact with business people as well as improve on the existing bilateral relationship between Abia state and Thailand