He made the disclosure at the two-day event holding at the Hilton Baiyun in Guangzhou.
Presenting a keynote address, Governor Ortom stated that meetings held during President Buhari’s visit pointed to the close economic ties that would flourish between Nigeria and China going forward.
The theme of the forum is “Creating Economic Coalitions Between Nigeria and China.”
“This theme was chosen strategically to coincide with the Canton Fair to expose the Nigerian delegation to the advancement China has made in the manufacture of machinery and equipment that are needed for the processing of our numerous abundant natural resources,” Governor Ortom stated.
“For the first time a geopolitical zone is presenting a common front with the aim of attracting the much needed Foreign Direct Investment and strategic partnership for wealth creation and life improvement.”
According to him, the Governors of the North Central have been encouraged to embark on the current drive on account of the abundant natural resources and the huge market potentials that the region commands.
“North Central Nigeria is indeed endowed with abundant resources to make it become an industrial outpost for businesses from China, especially from Guangzhou Region,” Governor Ortom stressed.
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who was personally present spoke through the Executive Chairman of Plateau Investment and Property Company, Mr Ezekiel Gomos.
There were testimonials and presentations by Chinese companies operating in Nigeria.
These included CGC, Tongyi Group, Wam Motors and Wuzheng Group.