The Anambra State government says it has attracted non oil direct foreign investment of over N30 billion for the first quarter of this year.

Governor Peter Obi gave the figure Friday in Awka when a delegation from the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, paid him a courtesy call at the Governor’s Lodge.

According to the governor, his administration had also provided the necessary infrastructure and conducive environment to promote the growth of commerce and industry for wealth creation and expansion of employment opportunities.

This, he explained, was part of the comprehensive programme of his administration to fight extreme poverty, hunger and crime in the society in the drive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, MDG, by 2015.

President of ECCIMA, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, who was represented by the vice president in charge of membership development, Dr. Emmanuel Nwankpa noted the commendable achievements of the governor on human and infrastructural development.

He also commended the governor for his support and promotion of small and medium scale enterprises and stressed the need for South-East governments to encourage public-private sector partnership to provide a visible platform that would strengthen the Economy.

Also speaking, Mr. Felix Akosa of Awka Chamber of Commerce said Governor Obi had distinguished himself in encouraging and empowering entrepreneurs in the state, noting that private sector -driven economy was key to unemployment and other economic challenges of the country.