Edo State Government said it has strengthened partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), as part of its reforms to boost Ease of Doing Business climate in Edo State.
The Managing Director of Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi recently disclosed this to journalists after a meeting with the representatives from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) at the ESIPO’s office in Benin City.
Uwaibi said the primary objective of the meeting was to evaluate the outcomes of prior collaborations and chart a more robust path forward, aimed at elevating Edo’s standing in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) ratings.
He noted that GIZ has been a steadfast partner to Edo State over the years, offering invaluable support in the state’s mission to enhance the Ease of Doing Business, adding, “This partnership has yielded noteworthy successes, and the recent meeting provided an opportunity to assess the tangible achievements and strategise for the future.
“One of the top priorities identified during the meeting was the enhancement of EODB for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Both parties were committed to ensuring that these businesses encounter fewer obstacles and experience a more streamlined process.
“A key area of focus was simplifying business-related processes and reducing bureaucratic complexities. Streamlining these procedures can significantly enhance the overall EODB environment.
“Recognising the importance of reducing the cost of doing business, both parties underscored the need to implement measures that make it more affordable for enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized ones.”
Representative of the Head of Component, Policy and Strategy, Mr. Omoware Akinropo, and Access to Finance Policy Advisor, GIZ, Mr. Pearse Akinwande, reiterated GIZ’s unwavering commitment to supporting Edo State in its EoDB initiatives.
According to information in Wikipedia: GIZ is the main German development agency. It is headquartered in Bonn and Eschborn and provides services in the field of international development cooperation and international education work. The organization’s self-declared goal is to deliver effective solutions that offer people better prospects and sustainably improve their living conditions.[2]
GIZ’s main commissioning party is Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Other commissioners include European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector, and governments of other countries.
In its projects GIZ works with partners in national governments, actors from the private sector, civil society and research institutions. Additionally, in cooperation with the German Federal Employment Agency, GIZ operates the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM), an agency specialized on international cooperation activities related to global labor mobility. [3]
GIZ was established on 1 January 2011, through the merger of three German international development organizations: the Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), and Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung (InWEnt). [4]
The merger was overseen by Dirk Niebel, federal development minister from 2009 to 2013. His predecessor had previously tried and failed to merge the DED with the KfW. [5]
GIZ is one of the world’s largest development agencies, with a business volume in excess of €3.1 billion in 2019 as well as 22,199 employees spread over more than 120 countries.[6]
