The Imo State Government has presented the Orashi Special Energy Trade Zone to Chinese and other international investors at the BRICS Meeting and Commodity Trade Investment Cooperation held in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China, as part of efforts to attract foreign investment and position the state as a major energy and industrial hub in Africa.
The presentation showcased the economic potential of the Orashi zone, with particular emphasis on opportunities in the downstream oil and gas sector, including petroleum refining, petrochemicals, storage facilities, bunkering and gas processing.
The international investment forum attracted senior Chinese government officials and representatives from several countries, including Iran, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Nigeria, providing a platform for discussions on trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State, Hon. Queen Ada Modestus, delivered a presentation titled “Invest in Imo,” in which she highlighted the state's investment opportunities and the strategic importance of the Orashi Special Energy Trade Zone
Hon. Modestus disclosed that the Orashi zone covers approximately 1,440 square kilometres, an area she noted is larger than Hong Kong. She identified the state's power supply, road infrastructure, youthful workforce and stable political environment under Governor Hope Uzodimma as key factors capable of attracting investors.
She particularly invited investors operating in the downstream oil and gas industry to visit Imo State to explore the opportunities available in the zone and engage directly with its management.
The presentation also proposed a broader economic partnership between Imo State and Zhoushan, drawing attention to the Chinese city's established strengths in port operations, bunkering and petrochemical industries.
According to Hon. Modestus, the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port handled more than 1.4 billion tonnes of cargo in 2025 and maintained its position as the world's leading port by cargo through output for 17 consecutive years.
She also highlighted the capacity of Zhoushan's Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical complex, which has a combined refining capacity of 40 million tonnes annually, describing the city's industrial experience as a potential model for collaboration with Imo State in developing the Orashi zone.
The proposed partnership is expected to create opportunities for knowledge exchange, investment promotion and cooperation in the energy and petrochemical industries, drawing on Zhoushan's experience and Imo State's resource potential.
Hon. Modestus reiterated Governor Hope Uzodimma's commitment to developing the downstream oil and gas sector through the Orashi initiative, stressing the state's readiness to engage with Chinese investors and other international partners interested in exploring its economic opportunities.
The presentation at the international investment forum represents an effort by the Imo State Government to expand its investment drive beyond Nigeria, attract foreign capital and establish the Orashi Special Energy Trade Zone as a strategic destination for energy-related industries and international business partnerships.
Report By Fredrick Njoku