In its bid to boost the tempo of activities at the Tinapa Business cum Leisure Resort, the management has announced a one-year free shop rent for indigenous entrepreneurs who wish to do business at the resort.

The Managing Director of the Resort, Mr. Bassey Eyo Ndem, announced the package in Calabar at the weekend, while addressing indigenous entrepreneurs on the investment opportunities available in and around Tinapa.

Ndem, who gave the cost of a year’s rent for one emporium as N200 million , said each of the shops costs N500,000 per year, adding that this cost would be waived for any local investor wishing to do business there for one year as a means of boosting trade in the area.

“For the management of Tinapa, we know that things are difficult for now. We are ready to give it to you free for one year. Please come and do business with us."

Ndem, while enlightening the indigenous entrepreneurs, said "this is the ideal environment to do business and you will surely enjoy doing business with us."

He announced that a Cross Riverian has bought a ship, which will encourage businessmen and women in this part of the world. The ship is called "TINAPA EXPRESS".

He used the opportunity to commend the owner of the shipping line, urging other Cross River indigenes to emulate him.

"Last week over 40 importers visited the Tinapa Business Resort to find out the area they can do business together with us," he said.

According to the managing director, each inch of Tinapa has business opportunity, especially for indigenous entrepreneurs as well as others within the catchment area.

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong, thanked the management of Tinapa for organising the one-day interactive session with indigenous entrepreneurs in the state.

"This is a very big opportunity for us indigenous entrepreneurs to invest in Tinapa so that tomorrow no body will say we were not informed on the various business opportunities that abound in the area," he said.

He, therefore, called on the management of Tinapa Business Resort to ensure that this enlightenment campaign would be organised more regularly to offer indigenous entrepreneurs of the need to invest.

Various papers were presented at the one-day workshop. These include: "Government as a facilitator for Investment Entrepreneurs," by Mr. Gerald Ada, Special Adviser to the state governor on Investment Promotion; "Investment Incentives for indigenous entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector," by Hon. Mbang Oju, Commissioner of Agriculture; "International linkage Opportunities for indigenous entrepreneurs, by High Chief Edem Duke, Chairman Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.

Source: The Nation